Immunohematology is a specialized branch of laboratory medicine. It involves the study of the theory and practice of a wide variety of procedures used in the following: donor selection, component preparation and use, and techniques used to detect antigen/antibody reactions which may adversely affect a patient receiving a transfusion. The topics to be covered include: donor screening, preparation of components, antigens and antibodies of the ABO, Rh and other blood group systems, pretransfusion testing procedures, hemolytic disease of the newborn, neonatal and obstetrical transfusion practice, autoimmune hemolytic anemias and adverse affects of transfusion.