Clinical Relevance of D Phenotypes

Clinically relevant information on D phenotypes can be summarized as follows:

D phenotype	D antigen expression	Rh(D) typing	Produce anti-D	RBC to transfuse	RhIG recommended**
D+	Normal	DA	No	D+ or D–	No
Weak D	Normal but weak	IAT	No	D+ or D–	No
Partial D	Altered	DA* & IAT	Yes	D–	Yes
Partial weak D	Altered & variable	DA* & IAT	Yes	D–	Yes
D–	None	IAT	Yes	D–	Yes

DA = direct agglutination

* Depending on anti-D reagent used
** USA, UK and parts of Canada