ABO Incompatibility Overview
Learn About ABO Incompatibility
A, B, AB, and O are the 4 major blood types. The types are based on small substances (molecules) on the surface of the blood cells.
When people who have one blood type receive blood from someone with a different blood type, it may cause their immune system to react. This is called ABO incompatibility.
Due to modern testing techniques, this problem is very rare.
Transfusion reaction - hemolytic; Acute hemolytic transfusion reaction; AHTR; Blood incompatibility - ABO
The different blood types are:
- Type A
- Type B
- Type AB
- Type O
People who have one blood type may form proteins (antibodies) that cause their immune system to react against one or more of the other blood types.
Being exposed to another type of blood can cause a reaction. This is important when someone needs to receive a blood transfusion or have an organ transplant. The blood types must be compatible to avoid an ABO incompatibility reaction.
For example:
- People with type A blood will react against type B or type AB blood.
- People with type B blood will react against type A or type AB blood.
- People with type O blood will react against type A, type B, or type AB blood.
- People with type AB blood will not react against type A, type B, type AB, or type O blood.
Type O blood does not cause an immune response when it is given to people with type A, type B, or type AB blood. This is why type O blood cells can be given to people of any blood type. People with type O blood are called universal donors. But people with type O can only receive type O blood.
Both blood and plasma transfusions must be matched to avoid an immune reaction. Before anyone receives blood, both the blood and the person receiving it are tested carefully to avoid a reaction. Usually, a reaction occurs because of a clerical error causing someone to receive incompatible blood.
The following are symptoms of ABO incompatible transfusion reactions:
- Low back pain
- Blood in urine
- Chills
- Feeling of impending doom
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Increased heart rate
- Pain at infusion site
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Bronchospasm (spasm of the muscles lining the lung; causes cough)
- Yellow skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- Acute kidney failure
- Low blood pressure
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
In case of any reaction, the transfusion should be stopped immediately. Treatment may also include:
- Medicines used to treat allergic reactions (antihistamines)
- Medicines used to treat swelling and allergies (steroids)
- Fluids given through a vein (intravenously)
- Medicines to raise blood pressure if it drops too low
Zeenia Billimoria is a Neonatologist and a Pediatrics provider in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Billimoria and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of ABO Incompatibility. Her top areas of expertise are Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, Neonatal Sepsis, Premature Infant, and Meconium Aspiration Syndrome. Dr. Billimoria is currently accepting new patients.
Shilpi Chabra is a Neonatologist and a Pediatrics provider in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Chabra and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of ABO Incompatibility. Her top areas of expertise are Gastroschisis, Meconium Aspiration Syndrome, Premature Infant, and Hernia. Dr. Chabra is currently accepting new patients.
Dennis Mayock is a Neonatologist and a Pediatrics provider in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Mayock and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of ABO Incompatibility. His top areas of expertise are Hypothermia, Premature Infant, Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, and Cerebral Hypoxia. Dr. Mayock is currently accepting new patients.
ABO incompatibility can be a very serious problem that can result in death. With the right and timely treatment, a full recovery is expected.
Complications that may result include:
- Kidney failure
- Low blood pressure needing intensive care
- Death
Contact your provider if you have recently had a blood transfusion or transplant and you have symptoms of ABO incompatibility.
Careful testing of donor and recipient blood types before transfusion or transplant can prevent this problem.
Summary: Blood group A2 to blood group O kidney and liver transplants have been shown to be safe and successful, especially in recipients with low pre-operative anti-A antibody titers and with the use of peri-operative antibody-depleting therapies. Since blood group O lung transplant candidates tend to have longer wait times and a higher waitlist mortality compared to other blood groups, we propose to cond...
Published Date: June 17, 2024
Published By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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