The Prevalence of ABO, Rh and Bombay Blood Group among Donors at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Mangalore, India

Abstract

Introduction: Blood types were first discovered by an Austrian physician, Karl Landsteiner. He found that blood sera from different persons would clump together (agglutinate) when mixed in test tubes, and some human blood also agglutinated with animal blood. The study of different blood groups is important as it has major role in blood transfusion, certain medico-legal cases especially disputed paternity etc. Aim: This study was carried out to find the prevalence of ABO, Rhesus (Rh) and Bombay blood group among donors at a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: The present retrospective study was done at a tertiary care hospital of Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, India from June 2018 to May 2019 with data analysis done in November 2019. Data of 8,254 blood donors were collected and analysed regarding ABO, Rhesus and Bombay group from June 2018 to May 2019. Blood grouping was done by automated method using agglutination technique. The data collected was analysed by frequency and percentage. Results: The total donors studied were 8,254 with mean age of 48 years. The most common blood group was O (n=3178,38.5%) followed by B (n=2343, 28.38), A (n=2102, 25.47%), AB (n=629, 7.62%) and Bombay (n=2, 0.02%), respectively. Rh positivity among donors were 94% (n=7762). Rest were Rh negative and were found to be approx. 6% (n=490). Conclusion: The most common blood group among donors was O Rh positive and the least common was Bombay blood group. Every blood bank should have a record of frequency of ABO and Rh grouping as it is important for its effective management. Safe transfusion reduces the risk of transfusion transmitted illnesses and thus promotes patient safety