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 M antigen is 78% in Caucasians and 74% in Blacks. Anti-M is an extremely rare cause of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. Many examples of anti-M are naturally-occurring.