Last week we started a discussion on the above controversial topic which has brought a lot of divide among couples. Well, today, let’s find out if this situation is possible and the next step to take. If you didn’t follow the story from last week, do well to read through on what you missed here https://medtrixhome.wordpress.com/2020/05/14/blood-group-wahala-can-a-b-man-and-an-a-woman-give-birth-to-an-o-baby/?preview=true
The father of the child, had a lot running through his mind when I gave him the news of his child’s blood group, and so to answer some of his questions, I sat down with him and explained better.
Just the same way inherited genes control the colour of our hair, eyes and skin, these genes also control our blood group. All the features and characteristics of our bodies are influenced by the genes in our body cells.
These genetic traits and their observable characteristics are named genotypes and phenotypes respectively.
- Genotype is the invisible inherited characteristics while
- Phenotype is the visible manifestation of the genotype.
This brings us to the blood groups. There are different genotypes for blood groups. This is not the haemoglobin genotype of AS, AA, SS and the rest. Each individual inherits two blood group genes, which can be AA, AO, BB, BO, AB, OO. Remember I said that this was an invisible trait.
Now, there are factors that determine which gene out of each pair will become the phenotype that is, the one that will be seen when a blood group test is run.
In blood group genetics, A and B are dominant genes. To dominate means to exert influence over something. Therefore, A and B genes dominate any other gene they are paired with but when paired with each other, they are co-dominant that is they exist together, one cannot exert influence over the other.
O is a recessive gene and the effect of something recessive can be masked by stronger effects. O’s effect in the presence of the A and B is masked, but when O is paired with itself, there’s just OO. No dominant, no recessive.
After the body has done these analyses, the visible genes become visible on the surface of red cells as antigens and are detected during a blood group test.
Individuals with red blood cells that have only the A antigen are called group A. Those that have only the B antigen are called group B. Those with both the A and B antigen are called group AB. It is also possible for the red cells of an individual to lack both of these antigens and as such, the group is O.
Here is a list of possible combinations of genes and the blood groups they confer:
Genotype——-Blood group
AA————————-A
AO————————-A
BB————————-B
BO————————-B
AB————————AB
OO————————-O
With these explanations, I brought his case to focus.
“Let’s look at your possible family tree.” I said,
“There is a high possibility that your wife has blood group A (genotype AO) and you have blood group B (genotype BO). The possible ABO genotype permutations of your children could be; AB (group AB), AO (group A) BO (group B) or OO (group O). This means that there’s a possibility that you and your wife can give birth to a group O baby”.
He sat quietly while I kept talking and I could see that he still had some doubts clearly written on his face. After our discussion, he requested for my number and then left, having that same look of disappointment he received the news with.
I admired the way he approached the situation and the fact that he didn’t just go home to react unnecessarily, but went to make research on the information I had just given him. I knew this because, around 9pm of that same day, he called and asked a lot of questions from what he had researched on. I was glad to answer all his questions and after some more research, he became convinced.
I counselled him on blood transfusion and did my best to clear his doubts and fears of transfusing someone else’s blood to his child. After some days, he brought in an O+ donor and after the conduction of the necessary tests, the donor was cleared to donate blood for the child.
A life saved. A marriage saved.
Be well informed.
Stay safe.
Maureen
Medtrix 