Blood Types and ABO Incompatibility

THERE ARE 30 BLOOD GROUP systems, one of the most common being the ABO system.¹ Another is the Rh(D) or Rhesus blood group, which gives us Rh positive or Rh negative blood type. The minor blood groups are Rh c, Rh E, Kell, Lewis, Duffy, Kidd, and many more. These minor blood groups can cause incompatibility issues with the mother's blood group. During pregnancy, a mother is screened or tested for antibodies that may attack the baby's red blood cells (RBCs). Minor blood groups must be considered when an infant presents with jaundice and a positive antibody screen without evidence of ABO or Rh incompatibility.²