Blood Grouping (ABO) and Rh Factor Test Cost & Procedure

ABO grouping and Rhesus system are two systems which are examined during blood transfusion.The blood group matching is important for blood transfusion as different blood type is recognised aa foreign and triggers an immune response against it known as transfusion reaction. Any inappropriate match of ABO and Rh system can lead to serious transfusion reaction.

ABO blood group system

ABO blood group matching is important during blood transfusion as mismatching of blood can result in clumping of RBCs and it can lead to serious complications.

• Blood group A - iantigen-A on RBCs and anti - b antibodies.
• Blood group B - antigen-B and anti-A antibodies
• Blood group AB - antigen-A and B on RBCs and no antibodies.
• Blood group O - no antigens and anti-A and anti-B antibodies.
• Universal donor - blood group O
• Universal recipient - blood group AB

Rh Factor

The Rhesus system is also important as blood group system. There are 50 defined antigen in the Rh system but most important ones are- D, C, c, E, and e. About 2/3rd proportion of the population contains 3rd antigen present on the surface of red blood cells. This third antigen is known as Rh factor. If this antigen is present, it is Rh positive and if this antigen is absent then Rh negative. This factor helps in determining whether blood is positive or negative.

It is important to check Rh compatibility with blood grouping as well.In Rh negative individuals there are no antibodies against Rh factor as it lacks Rh antigen ,Rh negative person poses a risk if transfused with Rh positive blood. This does not occur during the first time of blood transfusion but the body will produce antibodies against Rh antigen. If this happens again for the second time this will trigger the immune system prior formed antibodies will attack and result in clumping of red blood cells.

The resulting hemolysis leads to serious problems and even death.It is also important to check during pregnancy Rh incompatibility occurs when Rh positive foetus is born to Rh negative mother. There will be no complication during the first child, when the second child is also Rh positive , antibodies can cross the placenta and damage red blood cells leading to life threatening anaemia. This condition is known as Erythroblastosis-fetalis.