Sep

Did You Know?

Today, my friends at church were casually discussing the topic on blood mismatch as the cause of some problems to a newborn baby. Unknown to us many Filipinos, determining ones blood type is crucial for us to understand if our blood group would match that of our future partner. I then recalled that in my MT classes in the past, human blood groups were comprehensively discussed.

There are over 30 common red blood cell antigens. The most vigorous transfusion reactions are caused by ABO and Rh blood group antigens. Based on the presence or absence of two antigens: Type A and Type B. The lack of these antigens is called Type O. The presence of both A and B is called Type AB. The presence of either A or B is Type AB, respectively.

Rh BLOOD GROUPS

Named because of the presence or absence of one of eight Rh antigens. It is important to note that most Ameicans are Rh+. Problems can occur in mixing Rh+ blood into a body with Rh- blood. The danger is when the mother is Rh- and the father is Rh+ , and the child inherits the Rh+. The mismatch of an Rh- mother carrying an Rh+ baby can cause problems for the unborn child. The first pregnancy usually proceeds without problems. The immune system is sensitized after the first pregnancy. In a second pregnancy, the mother’s immune system produces antibodies to attack the Rh+ blood (hemolytic disease of the newborn).


Blood type and Rh	How many people have it?
O +	40 %
O -	7 %
A +	34 %
A -	6 %
B +	8 %
B -	1 %
AB +	3 %
AB -	1 %

MOST IMPORTANT INFO NOW:

You Can Receive
If Your Type Is	O-	O+	B-	B+	A-	A+	AB-	AB+
AB+	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES	YES
AB-	YES		YES		YES	YES
A+	YES	YES			YES	YES
A-	YES				YES
B+	YES	YES	YES	YES
B-	YES		YES
O+	YES	YES
O-	YES >