ABO incompatibility is a condition that arises because the patient receives blood that is different from his blood type. This triggers an immune system reaction that can cause a variety of symptoms, including jaundice (jaundice), dizziness, and shortness of breath.
ABO incompatibility is best treated immediately. Otherwise, it will increase the risk of complications, in the form of:
- Blood clotting
- Heart failure
- Decreased blood pressure.
This incident is rare because before a blood transfusion is performed, the donor's blood will be examined and matched with the recipient's blood.
Symptoms of ABO Incompatibility
This condition can cause jaundice or jaundice. When jaundice appears, the color of the skin and the whites of the eyes will turn yellowish.
Apart from jaundice, ABO incompatibility can also cause other symptoms such as:
- Fever
- Hard to breathe
- Muscle ache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain in the abdomen, chest, or back
- Urine with blood
- Swelling or infection at the injection site for blood transfusions.
Causes of ABO Incompatibility
Basically blood is divided into 4 groups, namely A, B, AB, and O. Each blood type has different proteins contained in blood cells.
ABO incompatibility occurs when a person receives a blood transfusion from a different blood group. Blood transfusions with different blood types make the immune system attack and destroy the cells in the received blood, because they are considered foreign substances that can harm the body.
In addition to blood transfusions, ABO incompatibility can also occur in someone who has an organ transplant from a person with a different blood type.
ABO Incompatibility Diagnosis
Diagnosis begins with observing the symptoms that appear. If symptoms occur when a blood transfusion is performed, the doctor will immediately stop the transfusion. After that, the diagnosis can be continued by conducting tests. Some of the tests used to diagnose ABO incompatibility are:
- Blood test. The goal is to determine whether or not there is damage to red blood cells.
- Urine test. This test aims to detect hemoglobin in the urine.
- Test fit. Examinations that have been carried out before giving this blood will be repeated again to see if there is a mismatch between the donor's and the recipient's blood.
During the diagnosis process, the doctor will also observe the patient's blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and body temperature.
ABO Incompatibility Treatment
If the patient is proven to have ABO incompatibility, the doctor will send the patient to the intensive care unit (ICU). The treatment given will be adjusted to the symptoms that appear, and aim to prevent heart failure, blood clots, and lower blood pressure.
If the presenting symptom is jaundice, then the handling can be in the form of:
- Administration of injectable immunoglobulin.
- Photototherapy or light therapy. This therapy uses a special light that makes it easier for the body to excrete bilirubin, either through urine or feces.
However, not all ABO incompatibility that causes jaundice requires intensive treatment. Jaundice can also be treated in simple ways, such as eating more. With a lot of eating, the activity in the intestines will increase so that more substances that cause jaundice (bilirubin) will be wasted from the body.
Intensive treatment for ABO incompatibility patients who have jaundice is adjusted to the amount of bilirubin in the blood. Therefore, the patient must first consult with a doctor regarding the need or not to carry out intensive treatment, as well as the benefits and risks of the treatment carried out.
If an allergic reaction occurs, such as dizziness, vomiting, and shortness of breath, antihistamines and corticosteroids will be given.
Keep in mind that treatment must be tailored to the symptoms, severity, and overall condition of the patient. Do not use the drugs above without the direction and advice of a doctor, because it has the potential to worsen the condition.
Prevention of ABO Incompatibility
ABO incompatibility is a preventable condition. The hospital has implemented standard operating procedures (SOP) and cross-matching of donor blood with recipients, before performing blood transfusions. Implementing SOPs for blood transfusions, such as checking the recipient's blood group, checking the identity and compatibility of donor blood, and re-checking the type and package of blood before transfusion, is an effort by the hospital to prevent ABO incompatibility. The role of the community is to respect the actions of medical personnel in carrying out SOPs, while still monitoring if something is not up to standard.
