Processing & Storage

Xytex Cord Blood Bank’s dedicated laboratory staff processes each sample separately and employs manual processing procedures that use less instrumentation than other companies to help reduce risk of contamination.

Our staff checks the volume of cord blood collected, tests the cord blood unit for bacterial and fungal contamination and tests the maternal blood samples for infectious diseases.

Our processing procedure for separating nucleated cells is based on volume reduction through enhanced sedimentation of red cells, which is induced by the sedimenting agent hydroxyethyl starch (Hespan). CD34+ stem cells are evaluated using flow cytometry.

The processed cord blood stem cell unit is stored in a compartmented bag with three small testing sections, which can be removed, thawed and tested if the unit is being considered for transplant. The bag is stored in a dedicated freezer for cord blood stem cell units.

Xytex Cord Blood Bank stores its cord blood samples in the vapor phase above liquid nitrogen, which prevents any potential transmission of disease from one sample to another.

Xytex Cord Blood Bank’s client relations specialists will notify you as soon as your baby’s cord blood unit is processed. About 4 to 6 weeks after processing, we will send you a final report and a laboratory results summary, including a medical terminology page, which includes results of cord blood processing, fungal and bacterial cultures on the cord blood unit, and maternal sample testing. Please keep these results for your records.