Pre-marital health screenings, including blood tests, are increasingly common to identify potential health risks for the couple and their future children. A common concern is whether couples with the same blood type should marry, stemming from the belief that this can cause health problems in offspring.
Blood groups are categorized by ABO types (A, B, AB, O) and Rh factors (positive or negative). Rh positivity indicates the presence of Rh antigens, while Rh negativity signifies their absence. Potential complications arise when the mother is Rh-negative and the father is Rh-positive, as the baby may inherit Rh-positive blood. In such cases, the mother may develop antibodies against the baby's blood. However, this is manageable with an anti-D immunoglobulin (RhoGAM or RhIg) injection during pregnancy, ensuring a safe delivery. Therefore, sharing the same blood type is not a contraindication to marriage.
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Doctors recommend Hb electrophoresis testing to assess the risk of hemoglobin abnormalities and thalassemia in the child. Avoiding marriage between close relatives is advised to minimize the risk of genetic disorders and recurrent miscarriages. If such unions are unavoidable, genetic counseling and testing are crucial to evaluate potential risks to the child's health.