Blood Type Compatibility

The importance of properly matched blood types is critical when patients require blood. There are eight different common blood types, which are determined by the presence or absence of antigens A and B on the surface of the red blood cell. 
 

Blood Type Compatibility 

  • Group A – has only the A antigen on red cells (and B antibody in the plasma). Group A can donate red blood cells to A’s and AB’s
  • Group B – has only the B antigen on red cells (and A antibody in the plasma). Group B can donate red blood cells to B’s and AB’s.
  • Group AB – has both A and B antigens on red cells (but neither A nor B antibody in the plasma). Group AB can donate red blood cells to other AB’s, but can receive from all others. Group AB is the universal plasma donor.
  • Group O – has neither A nor B antigens on red cells (but both A and B antibody are in the plasma). Group O can donate red blood cells to anybody. It is the universal red cell donor.
  O- O+ B- B+ A- A+ AB- AB+
AB+ X X X X X X X X
AB- X   X   X   X  
A+ X X     X X    
A- X       X      
B+ X X X X        
B- X   X          
O+ X X            
O- X              

X = Compatible blood type

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