7/31/2019 Blood Groups and Compatibility BCI

1/2

Do something special. Give blood.

Call 13 14 95 or visit donateblood.com.au

Blood groups and compatibility

Wh a trasfusio is giv, it is prfrab for patits

to rciv bood of th sam bood (ABO ad RhD) group.

Howvr, i a mrgc or spcia circumstac, if thsam bood group ist radi avaiab, a patit ma

b giv aothr group that thir immu sstm wi ot

ract to.

What is th ABO group?

A and B are different antigens on the surface of the red

cells. Antigens are proteins or carbohydrates which our

immune system can recognise as foreign. O cells do not

have either antigen. The type of antigen on your red cells is

genetically determined. If you have the A antigen, you have

Group A red cells. It is also possible to have both A and Bantigens meaning your blood group is AB.

What is Rh?

The Rh blood group system has around 50 different red

blood cell antigens. D is the most important antigen of the

Rh system. It is also known as Rh(D) or Rh factor or RH1.

In Australia, approximately 83% of people will have the

D antigen on their red cells. Their blood type is called

Rh positive. The other 17% do not have the D on their

red cells and are called Rh negative. The percentage of

Rh negative people varies in different countries (eg. less

than 5% of Indias population are Rh negative). An Rh(D)

negative person, with an Rh(D) antibody, will destroy any

Rh(D) positive red cells they come in contact with. This may

occur with a transfusion or when pregnant with an Rh(D)

positive baby. Rh is very important for women who are or

may become pregnant as the antibodies can cause problems

for mother and baby.

0- 0+ B- B+ A- A+ AB- AB+

AB+ 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

AB- 3 3 3 3

A+ 3 3 3 3

A- 3 3

B+ 3 3 3 3

B- 3 3

0+ 3 3

0- 3

PATIenTS

BlOOD

TyPe

DOnORS BlOOD TyPe

Rd c compatibiit

As shown in the table at the top of the column, 0 Rh(-) is

the universal red cell donor blood that can be given to allpatients. This is common practice when a patients blood

group is unknown and in emergency situations especially for

women of child bearing age.

continues

7/31/2019 Blood Groups and Compatibility BCI

2/2

Do something special. Give blood.

Call 13 14 95 or visit donateblood.com.au

Blood groups and compatibility

Pasma compatibiitPlasma contains Anti-A and Anti-B antibodies depending

upon blood group. Patients should only receive plasma

which does not contain an antibody which could attack their

own red cells.

Antibodies are important molecules our immune system

makes to help protect ourselves against foreign things such

as bacteria and viruses. Antibodies can also be formed in

response to different blood groups.

Group O people have both Anti-A and Anti-B so group O

plasma can ONLY be given to group O patients. If group

O plasma were given to a group A patient, the Anti-A will

attack the patients group A red cells.

Group A plasma contains anti-B. Group A plasma can only

be given to patients who are group A or O (eg. only patients

who do not have group B red cells).

Group B plasma contains anti-A. Group B plasma can only

be given to patients who are group B or O.

Group AB plasma does not contain any Anti-A or Anti-B. AB

plasma can be given to patients who are group AB, A, B or O.Group AB donors are called universal plasma donors and

their plasma can be safely given to any patient.

Patt compatibiitABO identical platelets are usually preferred. However,

in some circumstances, the need for other special

requirements may be more important than providing the

same ABO group. This will be determined by the health care

team overseeing your care.

For mor iformatio pas cosut with our

hath car tam.

continued from previous page

Patit Group Compatib Pasma Door

A A, AB

B B, AB

AB AB

O O, AB, A, B