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Sabīne Kondratjeva

Sabīne Kondratjeva

How Can I Make Sure That My Baby’s Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cell Sample is Completely Tested and Safe?

17.11.2017

Expectant mothers often ask this question and we are happy to answer it.
All samples are subject to certain procedures, all of which are evaluated by the State Agency of Medicines and governed by the Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 1176 “Use of Human Tissue and Cells”. Compliance with these regulations, as well as the State Agency of Medicine issued authorization for human tissue and cell use is a mandatory requirement for all institutions related to collection and processing of human biological material. This also includes stem cell banks, and IVF Riga Stem Cell Center is no exception. We have received an authorization from the State Agency of Medicines No.AC-7/6 that enables us to use human tissue and cells, and we work in accordance with Latvian and European legislation.

  1. In accordance with the Cabinet of Ministers regulation No. 1776, Appendix 3, we collect a sample of umbilical cord blood and carefully test it for the following infections:
    • HIV 1 and 2 (Anti-HIV-1,2)
    • Hepatitis B (HBsAg, Anti HBc)
    • Hepatitis C (Anti-HCV-Ab)
    • Syphilis
  2. It is highly important to ensure a complete examination of the sample, therefore IVF Riga Stem Cell Center also tests the sample for bacteriological contamination:
    • Aerobic and anaerobic microflora
  3. To ensure that the family of the baby is fully informed about the quality, characteristics and viability of the sample, the sample is analyzed by special “cell analysis devices” - flow cytometer and hematology analyzer.     With the help of these devices, we are able to determine cell viability and blood cell count in the sample:
    • Number of cells (mln)
    • Sample size (ml)
    • Cell viability (%)

IVF Riga Stem Cell Center provides a meticulous three-stage umbilical cord blood stem cell sample check. As the sample processing is done by certified laboratories, we can ensure the quality of the sample. This type of certified laboratory is the only one in the whole territory of Latvia. 

If the baby’s stem cells are stored in the IVF Riga Stem Cell Center, can they be transported to other countries?
This is another question posed by the parents, which we gladly answer:
The Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 1176, specifically paragraphs 92, 93 and 94 provide for the transportation procedure of the processed sample to other medical institutions for the purpose of medical use. IVF Riga Stem Cell Center is authorized to transport the processed sample to other medical institutions, which have received permission for human tissue and cell use as a part of the patient’s therapy. Based on the concluded agreements, the export license allows the sample to be transported outside of the European Union Member States and the European Economic Area. If the stem cell center in question does not have such a permit, it is possible to receive a single use emergency import/export permit and send the patient’s stem cell sample to any medical treatment institution for the treatment of the patient, even if the institution is not located in a European Union Member State or the European Economic Area.
 

  • How Can I Make Sure That My Baby’s Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cell Sample is Completely Tested and Safe?