Question

Can a child have a different blood type than their parents?

Answer 1

Blood types:

1. A child can have a different blood type than their parents and also the same blood type.
2. Our RBCs carry antigens on their surfaces and the ability to produce these antigens is determined by genes inherited from parents. So, genotypes determine the blood groups in the child.
3. ABO blood group system is found in humans.
4. In this system, there are three alleles present.
5. I^A forms the A antigen, I^B produces the B antigen, and I^O produce neither antigen.
6. I^A and I^B are codominant alleles which means when both alleles are present both antigens (A and B) will be formed on the surfaces of RBCs so the blood group will be AB.
7. I^O is a recessive allele and produces blood group O when both alleles (I^O and I^O) are present.
8. So, there are 6 combinations of genotypic makeup resulting in children from the mentioned phenotypes. I^A I^A- A, I^B I^B- B, I^A I^O- A, I^B I^O- B, I^A I^B- AB, I^O I^O- O.
9. So, a child can have different blood types from his/her parents.