Blood type and transfusionsīlood typing is particularly important for blood transfusions, because certain antigens on blood cells can trigger a person's immune system to attack the donated blood. Yes, a person's blood type is genetic, inherited from his or her parents, according to the Red Cross. A person's blood type is designated as "positive" if they have the Rh protein on their red blood cells, and "negative" if they don't have this protein. Individuals with type AB blood have both people with type O blood have neither.Īnother protein, the " Rh factor" - also known as the "Rhesus" system - is also present or absent on red blood cells. Two of the main antigens used for blood typing are known as "A antigen" and "B antigen." People with type A blood only have A antigens on their red blood cells and those with type B blood have only B antigens. This can affect the newborn baby, who may need treatment after birth.A person's blood type is based on whether or not they have certain molecules or proteins - called antigens - on the surface of their red blood cells, according to the National Institutes of Health. Sometimes an incompatibility may happen when the mother is blood type O and the baby is either A or B. This will prevent being sensitized if the baby is Rh positive. If the mother has not already been sensitized to Rh positive blood, she may be given Rh immunoglobulin (RhIg). Problems with the Rh factor happen when the mother's Rh factor is negative and the baby's is positive. If the father's genes are -, and the mother's are -, the baby will be: If the father's genes are -, and the mother's are + -, the baby can be If the father's genes are + - Rh-positive, and the mother's are + - Rh-positive, the baby can be: If a father's Rh factor genes are + +, and the mother's are -, the baby will have one + from the father and one - gene from the mother. If a father's Rh factor genes are + +, and the mother's are + +, the baby will have one + from the father and one + gene from the mother. More specifically, consider the following: If a person has the genes -, the Rh factor will be negative.Ī baby receives one gene from the father and one from the mother. If a person has the genes + -, the Rh factor will also be positive. If a person has the genes + +, the Rh factor in the blood will be positive. The Rh-positive gene is dominant (stronger) and even when paired with an Rh-negative gene, the positive gene takes over: Rh factors follow a common pattern of genetic inheritance. A baby may have the blood type and Rh factor of either parent, or a combination of both parents. The following are the possible combinations of blood types with the Rh factors: If there is no Rh factor protein, the person is Rh- negative. If the Rh factor protein is on the cells, the person is Rh-positive. The Rh factor is a protein that is found on the covering of the red blood cells. The blood type is found as proteins on red blood cells and in body fluids. The blood type and the Rh factor simply mean that a person's blood has certain specific features. Blood Types in Pregnancy About blood typesĮvery person has a blood type (O, A, B, or AB) and an Rh factor, either positive or negative.
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