Frequencies of ABO and Rhesus (D) blood group phenotypes among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy, though a physiological phenomenon, is sometimes associated with complications requiring blood transfusion. Effective and safe blood transfusion services require a working database of the frequencies and distribution of ABO and Rhesus (Rh) (D) blood groups. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the frequencies and distribution of ABO and Rh (D) blood groups among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 210 pregnant women who presented to the booking section of the clinic were recruited for the study. Sociodemographic information of the patients was obtained using a semistructured interviewer-administered questionnaire. ABO and Rh (D) blood groups were determined by the agglutination method using potent monoclonal anti-A, anti-B, and anti-D reagents. Results: Blood groups O, B, A, and AB accounted for 98 (46.7%), 53 (25.2%), 45 (21.4%), and 14 (6.7%), respectively. Rh (D) positivity was 202 (96.2%) whereas Rh (D) negativity was 8 (3.8%). Conclusion: ABO phenotype O blood group is the most common among pregnant women in this environment with the majority being Rh (D) positive.