Awareness and acceptance of public cord blood banking among practicing obstetricians in the United States

Abstract

This study measured: 1) levels of awareness and understanding among practicing obstetricians regarding umbilical cord blood (UCB) donation and the use of UCB in transplant therapy, 2) motivations for obstetricians to support donation and collection for donation to a public cord blood bank (CBB), and 3) current practices for discussing this option with their patients. Obstetricians practicing in major metropolitan areas in the United States were randomly surveyed in 2009. Of 2041 surveys mailed, 295 were returned, 139 from obstetricians with privileges at hospitals affiliated with a public CBB (affiliated) and 156 from obstetricians without such privileges (nonaffiliated). Cross-tabulation analyses were conducted to compare responses between these two groups. Both affiliated and nonaffiliated obstetricians report being somewhat or very familiar with the use of cord blood in transplant therapy (88% vs. 82%, respectively; p = NS), but some misperceptions concerning clinical application exist. Eighty percent of affiliated obstetricians feel confident discussing cord blood options with their patients; however, 49% indicated that they have insufficient knowledge of cord blood donation to effectively answer patients' questions about donation. Obstetricians are generally familiar with the utility of donated cord blood in transplantation, but could benefit from additional information regarding how cord blood is used in transplantation. Further, obstetricians play an important role in encouraging women to donate their baby's cord blood to a public CBB, are willing to do so, and indicate a desire for more information so they can effectively educate their patients.