Umbilical cord blood is the blood that remains in your baby's umbilical cord and placenta after birth. It’s rich in stem cells, which can be cryopreserved for future medical therapies, including stem cell transplants.
Stem cells are the body's building blocks. The umbilical cord is one of the richest sources of these valuable cells, acting like a “bio repair kit” ––healing, rebuilding, and regenerating other cells. They can be used to treat various conditions, including leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood-related disorders.
Cord blood is an incredible source of hematopoietic (blood-forming) stem cells. The FDA has approved these cells to treat over 80 disorders, including immune and genetic conditions, as well as certain cancers. For some diseases, stem cells are the primary treatment; for others, they might be an option when other treatments haven’t worked or are part of experimental therapies.
If not collected, the cord blood is typically discarded as medical waste.
The first umbilical cord blood transplant took place in France in 1988 on a patient with Fanconi’s anaemia wherein the donor was the patient’s sibling, and this patient is alive still today. Today, cord blood has been used in more than 60,000 successful transplants globally and is used to treat over 80 different conditions and diseases. Cord blood derived stem cells typically require lower match parameters and are also more acceptable than those from bone marrow, hence they are easier to find and carry higher probability of successful transplants.
The preserved cord blood and tissue stem cells are a perfect match for the donor and carry a 25% likelihood of being a match for siblings. Cord blood stem cells offer higher match rates via Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) typing, hence greater the chance that the patient’s body will accept the donor’s stem cells. In addition, there is a 10% lower risk of Graft-versus-host-disease, a significant complication in stem cell transplants, than those who had transplants from unrelated donors, like bone marrow transplants.
Yes, because each baby's cord blood is an exact genetic match for that child and offers the very best chance of survival, should they need a stem cell transplant in the future. Also, if a doctor recommends a donor cord blood transplant, siblings are the preferred source. It is recommended to consider this once-in-your-child’s-lifetime opportunity, as the donor’s stem cells could potentially be useful to other family members who may need them, including siblings, parents and grandparents.
Though the decision to bank your baby's cord blood can be made any time before the birth of your baby, proactive planning has many advantages. We recommend early enrollment to ensure that your family has plenty of time to receive your Abu Dhabi Biobank collection kit and review the information provided within. Families who enroll early avoid the risk of missing their only opportunity to bank their baby's cord blood.
We are dedicated to making cord blood and tissue banking accessible to everyone and have a suite of options for you to choose from. We simplify the pricing structure by combining processing and testing fees to encompass all upfront expenses and have easy payment plans, full refunds and other rewards to celebrate the arrival of your precious little one. The pricing provided is for a single child and there are no hidden fees.
We are making cord blood banking affordable and more relevant through our competitive packages, thoughtfully relevant rewards, full family coverage with screenings and option to pay in easy monthly payments as per your preferred bank's policies. We are partnering with major banks and payment providers, so that Abu Dhabi Biobank clients holding cards from participating banks will have the option to convert their purchases to monthly installments directly with the card issuing bank. Repayment tenures of up to 12 months will be at no additional cost to the client.
Abu Dhabi Biobank will inform you in case the sample is found to be unsuitable for future use and therefore banking it may not be particularly helpful. As our valuable client, you have the right to terminate the agreement at any time, and the applicable refund scenario detailed in the contract will be followed. Please refer to the refund schedule in the agreement for more information.
You will not be required to pay cord blood (and tissue if applicable) collection fee to the hospital, if delivering at a partner hospital. As a DoH licensed facility, we service all leading maternity hospitals in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Talk to our experts or check our website to learn more about our partner hospitals.
The first umbilical cord blood transplant took place in France in 1988 on a patient with Fanconi’s anaemia wherein the donor was the patient’s sibling, and this patient is alive still today. Today, cord blood has been used in more than 60,000 successful transplants globally and is used to treat over 80 different conditions and diseases. Cord blood derived stem cells typically require lower match parameters and are also more acceptable than those from bone marrow, hence they are easier to find and carry higher probability of successful transplants.
The process is safe, painless, and non-invasive for both the mother and the newborn. Cord blood is collected after the baby is born and does not interfere with labour, delivery, or postpartum care.
After the baby is delivered, a healthcare professional will collect the cord blood in a swift 10-minute process using a sterile needle attached to a bag.
Cord blood can be securely stored for up to 30 years.
To donate, simply reach out to the hospital’s donor team, or contact the Abu Dhabi Biobank directly at 800 213. Our medical advisors will guide you through the process and registration.
Once collected, the cord blood is tested, processed, and cryopreserved at our state-of-the-art facility in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi. We are licensed by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and are the region’s largest hybrid cord blood bank.
The likelihood is estimated at 1 in 20,000 to 1 in 250,000.
Yes, cord blood donation is considered ethical and approved by Sharia law.
The collected cord blood undergoes testing to ensure its safety and viability for potential use. Tests include checks for sterility, cell counts, and maternal infections like HIV and malaria.
Yes, you can withdraw your consent at any time by contacting us. We’ll guide you through the process and ensure the cord blood is discarded in accordance with our protocols, sending you a confirmation once it's complete.
Your health information is handled and stored securely in compliance with UAE laws, ensuring your privacy is protected.
The purpose of the Abu Dhabi Biobank is to collect biological samples from a representative sample of the population in Abu Dhabi to establish a valuable biomedical research resource that supports diverse health-related, clinical, and pharmaceutical research to promote health and wellness in Abu Dhabi and internationally.
There is no upper limit on the number of participants that can be recruited. The Biobank can store up to five million samples, with the potential for further expansion if required.
Only approved researchers from academic institutions, industry partners, government organizations, and charities in the UAE and globally can access the Biobank’s resources. Access is strictly regulated to ensure it’s used solely for advancing human health.
The ADBB will be the custodian of your data and samples and will strictly control who has access to them. Your data shall be de-identified and researchers will only have access to the de-identified data, ensuring personal information (e.g. name, contact details, etc), remains confidential and cannot be used to identify individuals.
The biobank will access, store, and continually link health-related records and metadata from various sources:
The Biobank will continue to collect information from your health records as long as it exists, potentially for decades. If you remain part of the program, information will be linked and collected throughout your lifetime and, even after your incapacity or death.
The Biobank is not intended for clinical diagnostic purposes. Results are for research only, not for diagnosing or treating diseases and may take several years to determine any findings. The findings will not be shared with you, or your doctor, or added to your medical records, to the full extent allowed by law.
You will not receive any financial compensation for participating. Participation is entirely voluntary, with the primary aim of advancing medical research.
If you participate, you’ll sign an Informed Consent Form and complete two phases. In the Pilot Phase, we collect biological samples and health data to refine our processes. Phase 1 involves providing biological samples (blood, urine, saliva, or leftover medical samples), undergoing physical measurements (e.g., blood pressure, height, weight), and completing questionnaires on diet, lifestyle, and cognitive function.
Samples will be collected by trained medical staff following standard operating procedures to ensure safety and quality, across partnering hospitals.
The risks are minimal. Blood sample collection may cause slight discomfort or bruising, while other samples (e.g., urine or saliva) have no physical risks. Physical measurements are conducted privately and respectfully. There is also a minute theoretical risk of unauthorized access to your electronically stored data; however, robust security measures ensure this is highly unlikely.
Yes, the ADBB welcomes participants with all health conditions. As long as you sign the voluntary Informed Consent Form—either independently or with the help of a witness or legal guardian—you can participate. W encourage individuals with both physical and mental health conditions to join, ensuring a diverse and representative sample for future health research.
Yes, we may contact you for research invitations, program updates, feedback, additional questionnaires, or sample requests to enhance the Biobank’s resources.
Yes, you can withdraw at any time without penalty or the need to provide a reason. Withdrawal will not affect your healthcare There are two withdrawal options:
Note: Your data may still be part of research completed before your withdrawal, as we cannot remove it from studies already underway.