To evaluate and standardize umbilical cord specimen collection and laboratory procedures to evaluate cellular and serological immune responses in neonates and young infants

To evaluate: 1) The procedures for obtaining umbilical cord blood; 2) the methods for ensuring immune cell viability, freezing, and shipping; 3) the conditions for optimization of immune cell isolation procedures.

Inclusion Criteria:

For the portion of the pilot study conducted at the UCLA CVR, an umbilical cord blood sample will be obtained from approximately 8 to 12 healthy pregnant women who are delivering neonates at the Obstetrical delivery ward of Harbor- UCLA Medical Center. Informed consent will not be obtained because the blood will be obtained after delivery from a clamped umbilical cord attached to the placenta (afterbirth) that otherwise would be discarded.

Exclusion Criteria:

A cord blood sample will not be collected from women who have requested special arrangements for a cord blood registry service.