Blood Groups and Transfusion Reactions

Classification and Types of Blood Groups

Blood grouping is essential for safe transfusions and medical procedures. It is categorized based on antigens present on red blood cells.

Major Blood Group Systems

ABO Blood Group System: Classifies blood into A, B, AB, and O based on the presence of antigens A and B.
Rh Blood Group System: Determines whether a person is Rh-positive or Rh-negative based on the presence of the Rh factor.

Importance of Blood Typing in Transfusion

Incorrect blood transfusions can lead to severe immunological reactions, including hemolytic reactions. Therefore, compatibility testing is crucial before any transfusion.

Common Transfusion Reactions

Hemolytic Reaction: Occurs due to mismatched blood type, leading to red blood cell destruction.
Allergic Reaction: Caused by immune responses to donor proteins.
Febrile Non-Hemolytic Reaction: Associated with recipient antibodies reacting to donor white blood cells.