Blood Type ABO Grouping & RHO Typing

Includes ABO Group and Rh Type, Cord Blood. ABOtype and Rh are needed from cord blood to determine the newborn’s blood type and Rh.

Blood typing is a quick test that determines a blood type. Blood type (blood group) is a classification of blood based on antigens localized on surface of blood red cells. ABO system is based on presence or absence of A-antigen or B-antigen on red cells. People with A blood type have only A antigen on their red cells, B blood types has only B-antigen on their red cells. People with AB blood group have both A and B antigen on red cells, and people with 0 blood type have neither one of them. The other significant system for blood classification is Rh typing, which is based on presence or absence of Rh factor on red cells. Logically Rh+ have Rh factor, and Rh- don’t. Due to that fact, there are 8 blood groups (A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB-, O+, 0-). This is important to know in order to give the right blood to the person who needs it. If the person is given blood with wrong blood type, there would be an immune reaction with antibodies, which will manifest with haemolytic anemia, blood clumping or agglutination.

This test is performed in following conditions such as:

• Planning blood donation
• Need a transfusion
• Planned surgery (in case you lose a lot of blood a need a transfusion)
• Pregnancy (if mother is Rh- and father Rh+, the baby is most likely Rh+ and mother’s antibodies could attack babies red cells if mother isn’t given the right medication)