Blood transfusions are a common medical procedure used to save lives during surgeries and other medical emergencies. Blood type plays a critical role in this process.

Blood type is a classification system based on the presence or absence of antigens and antibodies on the surface of red blood cells. There are four main blood types: A, B, AB, and O. These blood types are determined by the presence or absence of two antigens: A and B on the surface of red blood cells.

Individuals with type A blood have A antigens while those with type B blood have B antigens. Individuals with type AB blood have both A and B antigens while those with type O blood have neither A nor B antigens.

What Causes Changes in Blood Type?

While we are born with a specific blood type that we carry throughout our life, some conditions may cause changes to our blood type. Usually, these changes are temporary and reversible, but in some cases, they can be permanent.

Bone Marrow Transplant

One of the common causes of changes in blood type is bone marrow transplant. Bone marrow is a soft, spongy tissue found in the center of bones that produce red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

In some medical conditions such as cancer, bone marrow is damaged, and the body cannot produce enough blood cells on its own. In these cases, a bone marrow transplant may be recommended.

During a bone marrow transplant, bone marrow cells from a donor are transplanted into the patient’s body. The transplanted cells can produce new blood cells, including red blood cells with different antigens.

This can change the patient’s blood type. For example, a patient with type A blood who receives bone marrow from a donor with type B blood may end up with type AB blood.

Chronic Liver Disease

Chronic liver disease is another condition that may cause changes in blood type. The liver is responsible for producing proteins called blood clotting factors that help in blood clotting.

When the liver is damaged, it cannot produce enough of these clotting factors, leading to bleeding disorders.

In some cases, chronic liver disease can also cause changes in the levels of blood antigens. For example, individuals with liver disease may have decreased levels of A and B antigens, leading to a decreased expression of their blood type.

In rare cases, individuals with liver disease may also develop acquired B antigen, leading to a change in their blood type from A to AB or O to B.

Cancer

Cancer is a condition that can cause changes in blood type in rare cases. Certain types of cancer cells may produce antigens that are not present in the patient’s normal blood type.

For instance, an individual with type A blood who develops stomach cancer may develop the H antigen, which is usually not present in people with type A blood. The production of new antigens can result in changes in the blood type. Blood transfusions for such individuals require careful consideration of the new antigens produced by the cancer cells.

Conclusion

Blood type is an essential consideration during blood transfusions and medical emergencies. While changes in blood type are rare, they do occur in some medical conditions, such as bone marrow transplant, chronic liver disease, and cancer.

It is critical to be aware of these potential changes and to take them into account when making medical decisions.