Blood antigens -- pregnant mothers' blood types and infants' blood types

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In summary, there is a concern for Rh incompatibility between a Rh-ve mother and a Rh+ve child during delivery, which can lead to maternal antibodies and complications in subsequent pregnancies. This same concern also applies to ABO incompatibility, where if a mother is B+ve and the child is A+ve, it can cause problems due to different A, B, O antigens. However, there is not as much emphasis on ABO compatibility between parents as there is on Rh compatibility. This may be due to not wanting to worry parents or because Rh incompatibility is seen as a more serious issue.
  • #1
mktsgm
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I have a small question regarding pregnant mother's blood types and infant's blood types.

We all know the if an Rh-ve mother carries an Rh+ve child, there is a possibility that their blood may mix during the delivery.

This may induce some (Rh D) antibodies in maternal blood. In case the same mother happens to carry another Rh+ve child for the second pregnancy, the antibodies of the mother will create a lot of problems to both.

My doubt here is, say if the mother is B+ve and the child is A+ve, the same situation arises with respect to A,B,O antigens. Why this antigen/antibody axis does not create problem in pregnancy?
 
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Oh. Thank you very much.

But if so why we aren't much bothered about ABO compatibility of the parents? Even if screened, the parents are not generally told about this fact. Perhaps not to scare them...

We seem to insist only on the Rh type excessively...

Anyway thanks.
 

1. What are blood antigens and why are they important during pregnancy?

Blood antigens are proteins found on the surface of red blood cells. They are important during pregnancy because they can cause an immune reaction if the mother's blood type is different from the baby's blood type. This can lead to complications such as hemolytic disease of the newborn.

2. How are blood types determined in pregnant mothers?

Blood types are determined through a blood test called ABO typing. This test determines the presence of A and B antigens on red blood cells, as well as the presence of antibodies against these antigens in the blood.

3. Can a baby have a different blood type than their mother?

Yes, it is possible for a baby to have a different blood type than their mother. This can occur if the baby inherits a different blood type from the father.

4. What are the risks for a pregnant mother if she has a different blood type than her baby?

If a pregnant mother has a different blood type than her baby, there is a risk for an immune reaction to occur. This can lead to complications such as hemolytic disease of the newborn, which can cause anemia, jaundice, and other serious health issues for the baby.

5. How can complications from blood type differences between a pregnant mother and her baby be prevented?

Complications can be prevented by monitoring the mother's blood type and the presence of antibodies throughout pregnancy. If necessary, the mother may receive a special medication called Rh immune globulin to prevent an immune reaction from occurring. In severe cases, blood transfusions may be necessary for the baby after birth.

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