Red Blood Cell (RBC) Antigen Typing: K (Kell)

Use

Typing paternal RBCs for antigens that correspond to maternal antibody may aid in the prediction of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. Red cell antigen typing may also be indicated for bone marrow, tissue, organ, or blood donors prior to donation. Testing a prenatal patient for red cell antigens is generally not indicated. The occurrence of the K antigen is 9% in Caucasians, 2% in Blacks, and rare in Asians. Anti-K can cause mild to severe (rare) hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (often with anemia), which is sometimes delayed.