AB Negative Blood Type Facts:
1. The Rarest Blood Group & Universal Plasma Donor:
The blood type is also the rarest
blood types among all the blood group because it is present in only 1 out of
167 individuals. This means an approximately 0.6% of the population has an AB
negative blood. Not all of the ethnic groups share the same proportions of the
AB negative blood type though.
The nature of antigens present in
the serum determines the blood type. AB negative suggests that an individual
has both the antigens A and B. Individuals who are AB blood group are commonly
called universal plasma donors because their plasma can be transfused to any
person of whatever blood group.
2. Inheritance Patterns:
The ABO gene found on chromosome
9 determines the ABO blood group system. A & B genes are co-dominant in
relationship, making the expression of both antigens A & B when either
alleles A or B is present. Blood Group AB has both A and B antigen on red cells
but with neither A or B antibody in the plasma.
How is AB Negative blood type
inherited?
•If parental blood groups consist
of A and B, the child’s blood group will either be one of O, A, B, or AB.
•If parental blood groups consist
of A and AB, the child’s blood group will either be one of A, B, or AB.
•If parental blood groups consist
of B and AB, the child’s blood group will either be one of B, A, or AB.
•If parental blood groups consist
of AB and AB, the child’s blood group will either be one of A, B, or AB.
3. Plasma Type Compatibility: AB Can Only Receive AB:
Blood Type AB doesn’t carry both
the A and B antibody, making blood type AB group to be only compatible in
receiving plasma from blood group AB. However, as a potential universal plasma
donor, blood type AB plasma can be given to all blood groups.
4. Has No Rh factor:
Rh factor is an additional marker
in the blood. This can be classified as either Rh positive or Rh negative. This
marker is only used for genetic differences. An AB- blood type is Rh negative. The lack of Rh antigen occurs in
about 15% of people.
The exposure of Rh negative
individuals to Rh cells, even in small amounts can result to anti-D
alloantibody production. It usually happens by either pregnancy or transfusion.
This can cause hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn as well as hemolytic
transfusion reactions.
5. Primary Benefits and Challenges
Blood Type AB individuals share
the benefits and challenges that both Blood Type A and Blood Type B individuals
may face. However, AB type individuals may principally carry either A-type
characteristics or B type characteristics. But it can still be a mixture of
both A and B.
6. Blood Type AB Personality
An individual with blood type AB
has been associated to being spiritual and intuitive. Also, they are
significantly friendly, empathetic, trusting, emotional and passionate.
7. Diet Recommendations
Low stomach acidity has been
linked to Blood Type AB individuals. This causes the lack of ability to
metabolize food efficiently and often, intake of meat is being stored as fat. Smaller,
frequent meals are recommended. Especially in stressful situation, individuals
of this blood type should avoid alcohol and caffeine. Food suggestions include
green leafy vegetables, seafood, dairy (like kefir and yogurt), tofu, sardines,
tuna and salmon.
8. Exercise Recommendations
Exercise can be very beneficial
for Blood Type AB individuals especially in the maintenance of healthy
emotional balance and stress reduction. It recommended performing a mixture of
both aerobic physical exercise like biking or jogging and calming activities
like yoga or meditation.
Why is AB negative blood so important?
It’s the rarest blood type.
AB negative donations are extremely versatile, but because it is the rarest blood type finding new donors can be a challenge.
Plasma from AB negative donations can help treat patients of all blood types, however fresh frozen plasma is only produced from male donations. This is because female donors (especially those who have been pregnant) can develop antibodies that, while no danger to themselves, can prove life threatening to patients transfused with their plasma.
To avoid waste and to achieve the balance of plasma and red cells required by patients, we manage AB negative donations differently to other blood groups.
We encourage our male donors to donate as frequently as possible while asking female donors to wait to donate until contacted directly by us.
As the scarcest blood type, relatively small changes in the number of donations collected or requested by hospital can have a dramatic and immediate effect on the amount of AB negative we store.
At these times, we rely on the support of all AB negative donors to help prevent waste and ensure patients continue to receive the blood and blood products needed to save and improve lives.
Comments