![]() Most blood donations in Australia go towards treating cancer and blood diseases.Īnd pre-transfusion, Australian transfusion requirements state blood screening must be done, especially in "females of child-bearing potential", where possible.Ī little of their blood is taken to a laboratory to look for "clinically important" antibodies, ones that are most likely to cause reactions or haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn, should the patient receive incompatible blood. How blood is screened for 'clinically important' antibodies This can cause a condition called haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn, where the antibodies attack and destroy red blood cells, causing anaemia in the developing baby. That's because there's a risk that antibodies generated from an incompatible blood transfusion could pass through the placenta (should she fall pregnant) and into a foetus's bloodstream. It's sometimes called the "universal blood type".Īnd for a woman who may one day have kids, it's especially important to use matched or O negative blood in a transfusion. What is least likely to cause a reaction is O negative blood, which lacks A, B and RhD antigens. If the reaction is severe enough and not treated, it can be life-threatening. Transfusion reactions don't always cause massive problems but can mean symptoms like fever and low blood pressure. Then, if your immune system encounters those antigens again, it might attack and destroy them. Just as your body churns out antibodies to protect against infections, you can also make antibodies against unfamiliar blood antigens. Positive means your red blood cells sport an antigen called RhD. It's a similar story with the positive or negative part of your blood type.
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