Blood Typing

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Formal name: ABO Grouping and Rh Typing Related tests: Direct Antiglobulin Test, Indirect Antiglobulin Test, Compatibility Testing, Crossmatch, Antibody Identification; HLA Testing
At a Glance Test Sample The Test Common Questions Ask Us Related Pages

The Test
How is it used? When is it ordered? What does the test result mean? Is there anything else I should know?

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How is it used?
Blood typing is used to determine an individual's blood group and what type of blood or blood components the person can safely receive. It is important to ensure that there is compatibility between a person who requires a transfusion of blood or blood components and the ABO and Rh type of the unit of blood that will be transfused. A potentially fatal transfusion reaction can occur if a unit of blood containing an ABO antigen to which a person has an antibody is transfused to that person. For example, people with blood group O have both anti-A and anti-B antibodies in their blood. If a unit of blood that is group A, B, or AB is transfused to this person, the antibodies in the person's blood will react with the red cells, destroying them and causing potentially serious complications. If an Rh-negative individual is transfused with Rh-positive blood, it is likely that the person will produce antibodies against Rh-positive blood. Although this does not cause problems for the person during the current transfusion, a future transfusion with Rh-positive blood could result in a serious transfusion reaction. Rh typing is especially important during pregnancy because a mother and her fetus could be incompatible. If the mother is Rh-negative but the father is Rh-positive, the fetus may be positive for the Rh antigen. As a result, the mothers body could develop antibodies against the Rh antigen. The antibodies may cross the placenta and cause destruction of the babys red blood cells, resulting in a condition known as hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. To prevent development of Rh antibodies, an Rh-negative mother is treated with an injection of Rh immune globulin during her pregnancy and again after delivery if the baby is Rh-positive. The Rh immune globulin binds to and masks any Rh antigen from the fetus that the mother may be exposed to during her pregnancy and delivery and prevents her from becoming sensitized and developing antibodies against the Rh antigen.

Blood typing is also used to determine the blood group of potential donors at a collection facility. Units of blood that are collected from donors are blood typed and then appropriately labeled so that they can be used for people that require a specific ABO group and Rh type. ^ Back to top

When is it ordered?
ABO grouping and Rh typing are performed on all donated blood. They are also performed for all people who require a blood transfusion. Cases in which blood or blood products are needed for treatment may include:

Severe anemia and conditions causing anemia such as sickle-cell disease and thalassemia Surgical patients with intra-operative or post-operative bleeding Injury or trauma Patients with excessive blood loss Cancer and the effects of chemotherapy Bleeding disorders such as hemophilia

All pregnant women should be tested to determine whether they are Rh negative or positive. All newborns of Rh negative moms should also be tested to determine if the mother needs to receive Rh immune globulin. ^ Back to top

What does the test result mean?

The results of blood typing will determine if a person is group A, B, AB, or O and if he or she is Rh negative or positive depending on what antigens are present on the person's red blood cells. The results will tell the physician what blood or blood components will be safe for the person to receive. Blood group and Rh type A positive A negative B positive B negative AB positive A positive, A negative, O positive, O negative A negative, O negative B positive, B negative, O positive, O negative B negative, O negative AB positive, AB negative, A positive, A negative, B positive, B negative, O positive, O negative AB negative AB negative, A negative, B negative, O negative Can safely receive blood that is...

O positive O negative

O positive, O negative O negative

The results will tell a pregnant woman whether she is Rh positive or negative and whether she may be a candidate for receiving Rh immune globulin to prevent her from potentially developing antibodies against her fetus' blood cells. Blood typing will also tell the personnel at a collection facility what blood type a person is donating and who can safely receive that blood. ^ Back to top

Is there anything else I should know?

The following table summarizes the approximate distribution of blood groups and types in the U.S. population:
BLOOD TYPE Rh POSTIVE Rh NEGATIVE TOTAL

O A B AB TOTAL

38% 34% 9% 3% 84%

7% 6% 2% 1% 16%

45% 40% 11% 4% 100%