ABO Grouping and Rho(D) Typing

Determination of ABO blood group and Rh type for transfusion candidates. Group and typing of expectant mothers and newborns may indicate potential for ABO hemolytic disease of the fetus/newborn. Rh typing is used to determine Rh immune globulin candidacy for prenatal and postpartum patients. Abnormal plasma proteins, cold autoagglutinins, positive direct antiglobulin test, and, in some cases, bacteremia may interfere with test interpretation. Variable testing results may be observed with partial antigens, which are rare variants of the D antigen.

Fung MK, Grossman JB, Hillyer CD, Westoff CM, eds. AABB Technical Manual. 18th ed. Bethesda, Md: American Association of Blood Banks;2014.