Platelets for transfusion should be ABO and Rh(D) compatible with the patient's blood group whenever possible.
Consult a Blood Service Transfusion Medicine Specialist or Scientist if you decide to provide platelets other than the patient’s own blood group.
In this circumstance, the patient’s diagnosis or therapy may influence your decision to give either antigen- or antibody-incompatible platelets.
Consider giving prophylactic Rh(D) immunoglobulin when Rh(D)-positive platelets are transfused into a Rh(D)-negative recipient, particularly in female children or women of child-bearing age.
Please contact your transfusion service provider or Haematologist if you are unsure if prophylactic anti-D is required.
| Compatible Blood Groups for Platelet Transfusions | |
| Blood group of platelets for transfusion | Comment |
| Identical with patient’s own ABO group and Rh(D) type | This is the ideal. |
|
ABO antigen compatible Plasma incompatible (for example, the patient is group A and the platelets are group O) |
If a large volume of incompatible plasma is given, the recipient may develop a positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT) and, very rarely, haemolysis.
This is of greater importance in children as they have lower levels of soluble A and B substance in their body fluids. |
|
ABO and/or Rh(D) antigen incompatible Plasma compatible (for example, the patient is group O Rh(D)-negative and the platelet is group A Rh(D)-positive) |
In some patients, the post-transfusion platelet increment, and platelet survival, may be lower.
Sensitisation to foreign red cell antigens and in particular Rh(D) may occur. |
