Does anybody know anything about the antibody anti-fy(a)?

Question

Particularly with regards to risks and implications.

Answer 1

Red blood cells have hundreds of chemical markers called antigens. The commonly known ones are A, B and O - it is these antigens that define the blood groups. For example, someone with blood group A will have RBCs will A antigens and anti-B antibodies in the serum. Therefore if they receive a blood transfusion they need to be given A blood or O blood. If they were given B blood, the anti-B antibodies would destroy the new blood and the patient will die.

Anti-fy(a) is another antibody against the antigen fy(a). It is a very rare antigen, but as the answer above states, it can cause a haemolytic reaction and in babies can cause haemolytic disease of the newborn - a similar reaction as Rhesus reactions.

Answer 2

It causes haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN), but usually a very small percentage of pregnancies in a woman with that antibody result in the disease which can cause severe anemia in the fetus. Its usually treated with interuterine blood transfusions. It can also interfere in organ transplants between people who do and do not have the antibody.

Answer 3

it's to do with juveniles