10 Mind-Blowing Blood Type Secrets Your DNA Doesn't Want You to Know

5. Rh Factor

The Rh factor, also called the Rhesus factor, is an antigen that occurs in the blood of humans and other primates. The Rhesus factor is present in an estimated eighty-five percent of all blood for humans across the globe. Patients who have the Rhesus factor in their blood are classified as having a positive blood type. Those who do not have it have a negative blood type. While the lack of the Rhesus factor is not considered an illness and typically has no impact on a patient's health, it may affect a patient's health during pregnancy. Since a baby can inherit the Rhesus factor from either parent, issues might occur when an unborn baby is Rh-positive and the mother is Rh-negative. This is known as Rh incompatibility. Pregnant women normally have a screening test for this incompatibility during their first prenatal appointment. Women who have Rh incompatibility may need to be given several Rh immunoglobulin injections. The reason is to prevent the production of Rh antibodies during pregnancy.

6. Ro Subtype

In addition to the main types of blood, patients may also have a subtype. One of these subtypes is the Ro subtype, which was discovered in 1943. This is a variation of Rh positive blood, which means individuals may have it if they have A positive, B positive, AB positive, or O positive blood. Understanding subtypes is vital, since patients need compatible blood during surgeries and transfusions. According to reports, the demand for the Ro subtype is rising every year by approximately ten to fifteen percent. In addition, this subtype is quite rare, with only an estimated two percent of donors having it. Additional information suggests that the Ro subtype is crucial in treating sickle cell anemia, which is more common among black individuals. Furthermore, research shows that the Ro subtype may be up to ten times more common in black individuals compared to other ethnicities. This makes it crucial for these individuals to donate blood regularly.