ABO incompatibility
ABO incompatibility, ABO incompatibility Symptoms, ABO incompatibility Treatment centers, Diseases, Symptoms, Treatments June 19th, 2008
ABO incompatibility disease is the reaction of two different and not compatible blood groups.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The blood types are based on the molecules which are on the surface of the blood cells. The different blood types are A, B and O. In persons with different blood groups the molecules are immune system triggers or antigens. Every person has two of these molecules as a combination except the O type, which does not have any molecule. The variations are AO or AA molecules in the A type blood group, and BO or BB molecules in the B type, the AB type and the O type. Those who have a particular type of blood form antibodies which cause a reaction to other types of blood. If they are exposed to a different blood group by way of transfusion or if they get an organ transplant of a different type of blood group, they can have a serious reaction to it. Blood types should be matched properly before undergoing a transplant of an organ or a blood transfusion to avoid ABO incompatibility. This means that a person with a blood group which is type A will react to a blood transfusion of blood type B and type AB. Similarly those with type B will react to type A or AB and those with O will react to types A, B and AB. However as the type O blood group does not have any molecules it does not cause any reaction and can be given to those who have the other types of blood group. O is called the universal donor type because of this and anyone can receive this transfusion or organ transplant. Those with type O blood can receive only O type transfusions or organ transplants.
Symptoms
Symptoms to wrong incompatible blood transfusions are back pain, blood in the urine, fever and a feeling of impending doom.
Signs and tests
For finding out that a wrong blood which is not compatible to the patient has been given to them in transfusion a clinical blood test can be done and it can be seen that the blood from the donor was not compatible; a CBC or a complete blood count will show that the red blood cells have been damaged and there is anemia and the third test will show a high level of Bilirubin.
The treatment for such an incident would be intravenous fluids, antihistamine drugs should be administered, steroids which are used for treating allergies and swellings and medication for blood pressure.
Any hospital where blood transfusion is given.
Expectations (prognosis)
A serious problem which can result in the death of the patient, complete recovery is possible with the right kind of treatment.
Complications
Complications which can come up with the ABO incompatibility
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