Your Screenings
A routine maternal blood test that keeps your baby's stem cells safe and eligible for future use.
A standard safety step for all banked blood products
When you bank cord blood, a small sample of your blood is drawn at the hospital around delivery and tested for a panel of infectious diseases.
It's the same FDA requirement used for blood transfusions and organ donation. Every cord blood bank in the country does it.
What you're screened for
Tap any test to learn what it screens for and why it's included.
Tests for antibodies and genetic material (NAT) of HIV. Required for all banked blood products. A reactive result triggers confirmatory testing. False positives, while rare, do occur.
Screens for active or past Hepatitis B infection using multiple markers. Hepatitis B vaccination does not cause a reactive result on these specific tests.
Tests for antibodies and genetic material of the Hepatitis C virus. A standard donor screening — it does not test for liver function or disease severity.
HTLV is a retrovirus that can be transmitted through blood products. While uncommon in the general U.S. population, screening is required for all banked blood and tissue products.
A serological test for syphilis. This is also part of standard prenatal care, so it may already have been included in your OB/GYN labs earlier in pregnancy.
CMV is extremely common — more than half of adults have been exposed by age 40. A positive IgG simply indicates past exposure and is rarely a concern. It's one of the most common reactive results.
Tests for active West Nile Virus using nucleic acid testing. Most people infected with WNV show no symptoms. Seasonal risk varies by geography.
Screens for antibodies to Trypanosoma cruzi. Required for blood products in the United States, though the disease is primarily endemic to Latin America.
What your results mean
Each test returns as non-reactive (negative) or reactive (positive).
All tests non-reactive
Your screening came back clear. No follow-up is needed.
- No further action needed
- Unit stored with full eligibility
One or more tests reactive
A reactive result doesn't mean your cord blood is unusable.
- Unit can still be stored for family use
- Follow-up with your OB/GYN is recommended
- Your baby's stem cells are not affected