Check Rhesus Blood Type: Definition, Procedure, Results

In addition to being grouped into four blood groups, namely A, B, AB, and O, blood groups are also distinguished by Rhesus (Rh) factors. The factor of Rhesus or Rhesus is the innate protein that is on the surface of red blood cells.

Rh tests are as important as checking blood type, which is to determine a person's blood group. The aim is for someone to be easier when they receive transfusions and donors because Rhesus has known them. Examination of rhesus blood type is most crucial for pregnant women who may have Rhesus that is in contrast to the fetus.

What Is Rhesus (Rh) Blood Type Check?

Checking Rhesus blood type is a test that is done to determine a person's blood type.

Blood has antigens on its surface. The presence of antigens A and B determines a person's blood group. Whereas other types of antigens, namely Rhesus, determine their blood type Rhesus.

As mentioned earlier, there are two Rhesus types namely Rh + (positive) and Rh- (negative). If rhesus antigens are found in red blood cells, then that means someone has Rh + and if it does it has an Rh-type.

Checking Rhesus blood type is usually a series of blood type checks. So besides determining blood groups with anti-A antibodies and anti-B antibodies, anti-Rh antibodies will also be tested.

Check blood type and rhesus is important to do in several conditions such as the following:

1. Someone will donate blood
2. Someone will donate organs, tissues, and bone marrow
3. Pregnant women to prevent hemolytic disease in infants due to differences in maternal and fetal Rh.

Procedure for Checking Rhesus Blood Type

Blood type and rhesus checks are always done together. So rhesus blood type is also a result of blood type. There is nothing to prepare before checking blood type and the examination is also generally short.

The doctor will take blood samples from veins or from capillaries at the fingertips. Especially in infants, blood samples are generally taken from the heel. If blood is taken from a vein in the arm, health workers will put a hand band so that the blood vessels are more visible.

The antiseptic will be applied to the skin using cotton to prevent infection. After that, a needle is used to pierce the surface of the skin and take a blood sample. Discomfort may appear a little when the needle is released. After that, the pierced skin will be closed using bandages and gauze.

Blood will be stored on blood type check paper. Blood type check paper has 4 parts where there are anti-A, anti-B, anti-AB, and anti-Rh antibodies. The first three parts are used to see the results of blood groups A, B, AB, or O.

The last part will show the Rh type, if blood clots when mixed with anti-Rh antibodies, meaning that someone has Rh +, if it does not clot it means it has an Rh-type.

Conditions Related to Rhesus Blood Type Check Results

Rhesus can be passed down from parents.

Couples who have the same Rh type, their Rh type children will also follow. If someone has Rh + married to an Rh-owner, then their child can have Rh + or Rh-. Most people have Rh antigens, whereas Rh - is less common.

Having Rh-is not a disorder or an illness, but if someone has Rh-pregnancy and gives birth to a Rh + child, this can be a problem. Rh antibodies the mother can attack the baby. This condition is most common in the second pregnancy, but can also occur in the first pregnancy.

During pregnancy the mother's blood does not mix with fetal blood, but this mixing can occur during labor. A number of fetal blood mixed with maternal blood will trigger the formation of anti-Rh antibodies that can attack the fetus in subsequent pregnancies.

Therefore, it is important to check rhesus blood type, because if Rh type differences are found, doctors can give an injection of Rh immunoglobin (RhIG) at around 28 weeks to prevent the formation of Rh antibodies.

If Rh antibodies are already formed, the Rh immunoglobin cannot work, so doctors can only monitor the fetus during pregnancy and after birth. Babies with this condition may need a blood transfusion shortly after birth or even while still in the womb.

In addition to influencing pregnant women and fetuses, Rh also plays an important role in terms of blood transfusions and donor people. One of the conditions for donors is to have the same blood type and of course the same Rh type.

Someone who has Rh-can not donate blood to Rh + because this condition can also trigger the formation of Rh antibodies that will attack the blood and cause clots. This condition can cause serious illness, even death.

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