Blood test for a child

Determination of a child’s blood type is a study of a baby’s blood sample, which is used to establish the AB0 system group. Also, this analysis helps to find out the Rh factor in a child. Why is this test prescribed in childhood and how to pass this analysis?

The child will be assigned a blood group definition if:

• He will have a blood transfusion.
• Baby plan to do the operation.
• The newborn has a suspicion of hemolytic disease.

A blood sample for analysis is taken from the child's vein. Most often, for such an analysis, a fence is taken from a vein in the elbow area, but if the child is very small, blood can also be taken from other veins.

Blood type depends on the presence of certain proteins in plasma and on erythrocytes. Such proteins on red blood cells are called antigens (they can be A and B) - agglutinogens. Antibodies to them that are in the blood plasma, called agglutinins (they are alpha and beta). Their different combination determines the allocation of 4 groups on the AB0 system:

• 0 (zero) characterized by the absence of both types of antigens and the presence of both types of antibodies. In our country, this is the first group.
• BUT characterized by the presence of agglutinogen A and antibodies beta. In our country, it is called the second.
• AT, in turn, it has antibodies alpha and agglutinogen B. In domestic medicine, this is the third group.
• AB characterized by the absence of both types of antibodies and the presence of both types of agglutinogens. Domestic medicine calls it the fourth.

Rhesus factor called protein, which is in the blood of about 85% of people - the blood of such people is called Rh-positive. In the absence of such a protein, it is considered Rh-negative. To determine rhesus, antibodies are added to the blood sample and, after a few minutes, it is assessed if the cells agglutinate.

Without a blood sample from a child, it is impossible to accurately determine the group and Rh. If there is a baby’s blood sample and two ready-made sera (groups A and B), then it can be determined by gluing red blood cells. It is only necessary to mix the baby’s blood in turn with each serum, and after 3 minutes, cell gluing will be visible.

Special preparation for this analysis is not needed. It is often recommended to donate blood in the morning on an empty stomach, although this is not a prerequisite, but a recommendation, since eating does not affect the level of antibodies and antigens.