ABO incompatibility occurs when different blood types are mixed, causing an immune or inflammatory reaction. It can happen during blood transfusions, between a newborn and its mother, or with organ transplants. Symptoms include jaundice, fever, and back pain. Treatment includes transfusion of fluids and medications. Incompatible organ transplants can cause rejection. Couples with different blood types are at risk of producing babies with incompatible blood types.
ABO incompatibility refers to medical reactions that can occur if two different blood types are mixed in the same body, resulting in an immune or inflammatory reaction. There are three scenarios in which this circumstance occurs. The first is when people receive a blood transfusion of an incompatible blood type, the second is when a newborn and its mother have incompatible blood types, and the third scenario occurs when an organ transplant is from someone who doesn’t share the same blood group . Except in the third case, this disease is usually easily treated if caught early, but serious complications could still occur. Transplanting organs of the wrong blood type can be very challenging.
Human blood is classified into A, B, O and AB, based on the presence of certain molecules, and these molecules do not always react well when placed in a body that does not contain them. The body can start to react or have an immune response if it receives the wrong type of blood and detects the molecules or antigens. A few different types can be transfused to other people: Blood types A, B, and AB can usually receive type O blood, because it doesn’t contain antigens that cause inflammation. Another consideration is the Rh factor, which determines whether the blood is negative or positive.
The immune response of ABO incompatibility affects the liver the most and can cause people to develop jaundice. Other symptoms of this disease include bloody urine, back pain and fever. Some adults notice the feeling of great concern when they have been given the wrong blood. As the condition progresses, your blood pressure may drop sharply and you need to get treatment right away, especially after a blood transfusion.
Treatment to address ABO incompatibility needs to start early and would include transfusion of fluids and administration of medications that could stop reactions to the wrong blood antigens. These medications could be antihistamines, steroids, or a combination of the two. The person would be closely observed to make sure that such treatments worked.
In newborns, the treatment may be slightly different. To deal with jaundice, special lights or lightweight blankets can be used to reduce bilirubin levels, and some babies require blood transfusions with the appropriate blood. Usually, children with ABO incompatibility are not as sick with the condition as adults receiving transfusions, but they still require medical attention.
Circumstances in which a person would receive an organ of the wrong blood type or a transfusion are extremely rare. ABO incompatibility is avoided by blood type testing and with a blood transfusion or organ transplant, usually the only way it occurs is because of a mistake. In fact, transplanting an incompatible organ is a serious mistake because rejection can occur quickly.
In infants, ABO incompatibility is more difficult to avoid. Couples who have different incompatible blood types can produce babies with incompatible blood types with the mother. Knowing the parents’ blood types is helpful in assessing the risk of this condition occurring.
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