BLOOD GROUPS AND THEIR IMPORTANCE IN MEDICINE
Keywords:
Blood groups, ABO system, Rh factor, blood transfusion, antigen, compatibility, hemolytic disease, genetics.Abstract
This article provides an overview of blood groups, their classification, and the significance of understanding them in medical practice. Blood groups are determined by specific antigens present on the surface of red blood cells. The ABO and Rh systems are the most widely recognized classifications, critical for safe blood transfusions and organ transplants. Understanding blood group compatibility can prevent complications such as transfusion reactions and hemolytic diseases. This article also explores the role of blood groups in genetic studies and disease susceptibility..
References
1. Landsteiner, K. (1901). Über Agglutinationserscheinungen normalen menschlichen Blutes. Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift, 14(1), 1132–1134.
2. World Health Organization (WHO). (2020). Blood safety and availability.
3. American Red Cross. (2021). Understanding Blood Types.
4. National Institutes of Health (NIH). (2020). Blood Types and Transfusions.
5. Sanghvi, P., & Sharma, S. (2018). Role of ABO and Rh Blood Groups in Organ Transplantation. Indian Journal of Transplantation, 12(2), 45–50.
6. Fitzgerald, J., & Hunter, L. (2019). Blood Group Compatibility and Organ Transplantation: A Review. Transplantation Proceedings, 51(3), 910-916.
7. Davenport, G. A. (2017). The Importance of Blood Type Compatibility in Medicine. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 6(4), 39-45.
8. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (2021). Blood Groups and Disease Susceptibility.
