Overview
Blood group inheritance describes how parental alleles determine offspring red-cell antigen phenotypes, used in the laboratory as a correlation framework for ABO/Rh interpretation and discrepancy investigation.
Classification
| Parental phenotypes | Usual possible children | Usually not expected* |
|---|---|---|
| O × O | O | A, B, AB |
| O × A | O, A | B, AB |
| O × B | O, B | A, AB |
| A × B | O, A, B, AB | , |
| AB × O | A, B | O, AB |
| AB × AB | A, B, AB | O |
Morphologic Features
Conceptual genetics/serology reference, not morphologic.
Laboratory Characteristics
- Phenotype observed serologically; genotype inferred or tested separately
- Cord blood may be less reliable than venous neonatal samples
- Transplant/transfusion can disconnect phenotype from inheritance
- Variant alleles and subgroups complicate simple tables
Reference Intervals
No numeric intervals. Prediction tables are educational models, rare variants and institutional genotyping policies can modify interpretation. Verify locally before asserting biologic impossibility.
Clinical and Laboratory Significance
Inheritance framing helps triage unexpected family or neonatal types toward confirmatory testing rather than premature clinical conclusions.
Differential Considerations
Sample mix-up, cord contamination, weak subgroup, recent transfusion/HSCT, rare genetic variant, and information/history error.
Comparison Tables
Prediction vs testing
| Tool | Use | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Phenotype prediction table | Possible ABO sets | Ignores rare variants |
| Serologic type | Current specimen result | May reflect donor cells |
| Genotyping | Allele-level clarity when indicated | SOP / send-out dependent |
Classification Frameworks
ISBT blood group genetics nomenclature is the formal reference for alleles, educational A/B/O/D shorthand is not a substitute for genotype reports.
Laboratory Notes
- Confirm unexpected neonatal types per institutional perinatal SOP
- Do not use inheritance to override an unresolved ABO discrepancy
- Avoid parentage statements from blood bank typing alone
References
Authoritative textbooks, guidelines, and reviews supporting this reference entry. Verify reference intervals, critical limits, and reflex criteria against institutional protocols and current guideline editions.
Textbooks
- Cohn CS, Delaney M, Johnson ST, Katz LM, eds. Technical Manual. 21st ed. AABB; 2023.
- Harmening DM. Modern Blood Banking & Transfusion Practices. 7th ed. F.A. Davis; 2019.
- McPherson RA, Pincus MR. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Elsevier; 2021.
CLSI and Professional Guidelines
- AABB. Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services (verify current edition and institutional adoption).
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Code of Federal Regulations Title 21 . Blood and Blood Components (verify current institutional adoption).
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about using this Blood Group Inheritance foundational topics Medical Laboratory Library reference in Medical Laboratory Science education.
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