1Dept. of Pathology, S.S. Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Davangere, Karnataka-577 005
2Dept. of Pathology, SSIMS & RC, Davangere
Online published on 1 June, 2012.
ABO and Rhesus (Rh) blood group antigens are hereditary characters and are useful in population genetic studies, in resolving medico-legal issues and more importantly for the immunologic safety of blood during transfusion.
To document the distribution pattern of the ABO and Rh blood groups among blood donors in and around Davangere (Karnataka).
The distribution of ABO and Rh blood group was analyzed among 19,413 blood donors, over a period of 5 years (2005 to 2009). The age group and sex of donors, frequency of ABO blood groups and Rh status were calculated.
The predominant donors belonged to the age group between 18–35 years (86.18%). Male to female ratio among donors was 86:1. The most prevalent blood group was O (36.76%), followed by group B (29.85%) and group A (26.15%). The least common blood group was AB (7.24%). The prevalence of Rh positive and negative distribution in the studied population was 94.48 and 5.52% respectively. The highest frequency of coexisting ABO-Rh phenotypes was that of O positive (34.67%) followed by B positive (29.85%) and A positive (26.15%).
Knowledge of frequencies of the different blood groups is very important for blood banks and transfusion service policies that could contribute significantly to the National Health System.
Blood groups, ABO, Rhesus, phenotypes, blood donors
