40 years of researching the Del phenotype results in a change of transfusion practice.

KEY IDEAS: Anti‐D cannot agglutinate red cells of any Del phenotype in routine serology.Many individuals with East Asian ancestry who type D‐negative in serology harbor a Del phenotype.Almost all such individuals carry one distinct DEL variant, dubbed Asian‐type DEL, known as RHD*01EL.01, RHD*DEL1, RHD:c.1227G>A, formerly known as RHD(K409K).Clinical evidence strongly suggests that Asian‐type DEL individuals can safely be transfused with RhD‐positive blood and do not need anti‐D prophylaxis in pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]