Blood Group ABO and Rh Factor (ABO Rh Test)

Abo Rh test

This is a simple blood test which is used to find out the blood group and Rh type of a person. All human beings have about 4-6 litres of blood. Blood comprises two components –cells and plasma. The main cells present in blood are red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Plasma is the fluid in which these cells are present.

There are different types of proteins present in blood known as antigens and antibodies. Antigens are present on the surface of red blood cells and antibodies are present in plasma .These antigens and antibodies determine the blood group and Rh type of a person. There are 8 different blood types according to different combinations of antigen and antibodies-A positive,A negative,B positive,B negative,AB positive,AB negative,O positive and O negative. These blood group types are determined genetically.

O negative blood type is also called universal donor. AB positive blood type is also called universal recipient.

Why is the Abo Rh test prescribed?

Your health care provider may prescribe this test in following situations:

What are components of the Abo Rh test?

The Abo Rh test includes two steps which are forward typing and reverse typing. the result of both steps should be the same. In these steps blood is mixed with different antibodies to know if blood clumps or not. Accordingly blood group and Rh type is determined.

Procedure and Prerequisites

The sample for Abo Rh test is taken from blood by inserting a small needle into the vein of your arm. A small amount of blood is then collected in a test tube or vial. You may feel pain due to needle prick. No preparation is needed before this test.