Work

Perinatal clinical management of a rare AB h variant blood group

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The H antigen, precursor of the A and B blood groups, is a high-prevalence antigen. Very few H antigen-negative (H-) blood donors are available in the United Kingdom. CASE PRESENTATION: phenotype red cells were compatible. Given the rarity of individuals with these phenotypes, there were insufficient compatible red cell units for management of a major antepartum or postpartum haemorrhage. For this high-risk pregnancy, meticulous multidisciplinary team (MDT) planning took place between haematologists, obstetricians, anaesthetists, hospital laboratory staff and multiple teams within National Health Service Blood and Transplant including the National Frozen Blood Bank, Rare Donor Team and Red Cell Immunohaematology Laboratories. The MDT produced a birth management plan for various eventualities where blood transfusion may have been required. This process included the creation of our hospital's first vaginal cell salvage policy. A successful routine vaginal delivery was managed without transfusion. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the optimal care of a woman with an extremely rare blood group in pregnancy. The principles of management described here are also more widely applicable to women in whom transfusion is contraindicated, undeliverable or declined for other reasons.

Source: Transfusion Medicine

DOI: 10.1111/tme.70035

Authors: Aritri Mandal, Laura Eastwood, Shane Grimsley, Louise Tilley, Clare Samuelson

Institutions: Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, National Health Service, University of Sheffield

Language: English

Topic: Blood groups and transfusion

Subfield: Hematology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,700