Prevalence and Distribution of ABO and Rh-D Antigens along with Its Subgroups & Rare Types in Greater Gwalior Region

Among a total of 29 blood group systems and over 600 different blood group antigens discovered so far, ABO and Rhesus are the most important blood group systems. The most significance rhesus antigen is Rh-D because of its immunogenicity. The sound knowledge of ABO and Rh-D antigens and its distribution in population is essential for the effective management of blood transfusion services, in population genetic studies, in resolving medico-legal issues and more importantly in compatibility test in blood transfusion practice. Study is aimed to provide data on ABO and Rh-D distribution in Gwalior region (Madhya Pradesh) and its comparison with related studies in India and abroad. Total 90,000 samples in 4 years from January 2004 to December 2007 were grouped for ABO, Rh-D and their subgroups at Blood Bank of Gajra Raja Medical College, along with Emergency Blood Bank, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India. Blood group distribution among these samples showed phenotypes A, B, AB and O as 22.7%, 37.5%, 9% and 30.8% respectively. A2 and A2B were 8.0% and 8.6% respectively. The Rh-D negative phenotype was found 8.9% and DU variants/weaker D was 0.036% among the sample tested. In cord blood samples, the incidence of A2 and A2B were 18.6% and 20.2% respectively.