Verenryhmäjärjestelmät

Verenryhmäjärjestelmät refer to the classification of blood based on the presence or absence of inherited antigenic substances on the surface of red blood cells. These antigens can trigger an immune response if they are foreign to the body, leading to transfusion reactions. The most well-known and clinically significant blood group system is the ABO system, which categorizes individuals into four main groups: A, B, AB, and O. This classification is determined by the presence or absence of A and B antigens on the red blood cells and the corresponding antibodies in the plasma. Type A blood has A antigens and anti-B antibodies, type B has B antigens and anti-A antibodies, type AB has both A and B antigens but neither antibody, and type O has neither A nor B antigens but both anti-A and anti-B antibodies.

Another crucial blood group system is the Rhesus (Rh) system. The most important antigen in this system is the D antigen. Individuals who possess the D antigen are Rh-positive (Rh+), while those who lack it are Rh-negative (Rh-). Rh incompatibility can cause hemolytic disease of the newborn if an Rh-negative mother carries an Rh-positive fetus. Numerous other blood group systems exist, such as Kell, Duffy, Kidd, and MNS, each with various antigens that can be important in specific clinical situations like blood transfusions and organ transplantation, as well as in forensic medicine and paternity testing. Understanding these different verenryhmäjärjestelmät is vital for safe medical practices and accurate scientific analysis.