The molecular genetics of blood group polymorphism

Knowledge of the molecular bases to blood group polymorphisms provides a means to predict blood group phenotype from genomic DNA with a high degree of accuracy. This currently has two main applications in transfusion medicine: for determining fetal blood groups to assess whether the fetus is at risk from haemolytic disease; and to determine blood group phenotypes in multiply transfused, transfusion-dependent patients, where serological tests are precluded by the presence of donor red cells. Other applications are being developed for the future.