What is the ABO blood group system and the Rh factor?

Answer from top 10 papers

The ABO blood group system and the Rh factor are two distinct blood group systems that are clinically significant. The ABO system classifies blood into four main types: A, B, AB, and O, based on the presence or absence of antigens on the surface of red blood cells. The Rh factor, specifically the Rh(D) antigen, further categorizes blood as Rh positive or Rh negative. Studies have shown that the distribution of these blood groups varies across different populations and can be associated with various medical conditions (Jamali et al., 2024; Korucu & Bulur, 2019; Urun et al., 2012).
Interestingly, while some research indicates no significant association between ABO or Rh blood groups and certain diseases like gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) and diabetes mellitus (Chen et al., 2022; Kumar & Kaushik, 2016), other studies suggest correlations with conditions such as migraine, pregnancy complications, and preeclampsia (Basak et al., 2014; Devi et al., 2022; Korucu & Bulur, 2019). These findings highlight the potential clinical relevance of blood group typing beyond transfusion compatibility.
In summary, the ABO and Rh blood group systems are essential for blood transfusion and organ transplantation, and their distribution varies by region and ethnicity. While some studies have found associations between these blood groups and various health conditions, the evidence is not consistent across all diseases, and further research is needed to clarify these relationships (Basak et al., 2014; Chen et al., 2022; Devi et al., 2022; Jamali et al., 2024; Korucu & Bulur, 2019; Kumar & Kaushik, 2016; Urun et al., 2012).

Source Papers

Distribution of ABO-Rh Blood Group System Among the Students at Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur, Pakistan

Background: The distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups significantly varies across different populations and is crucial for effective blood bank management and transfusion services. Previous studies have shown diverse patterns in blood group distribution globally, influenced by regional, ethnic, and demographic factors. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups among the student population at Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU), Sindh, Pakistan, and to understand its implications for local healthcare services. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 253 students (133 males and 120 females) aged 18 to 24 years. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. The study employed a sterile lancet for blood sample collection via a finger prick. Blood group phenotyping was done using the slide method with monoclonal antiserum A, B, and D. Agglutination results were recorded to determine the ABO blood group and Rh factor. Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Results: The study found that 21.7% of students belonged to blood group A (49.1% Rh positive and 5.5% Rh negative in males, 40% Rh positive and 5.5% Rh negative in females), 35.2% to blood group B (38.2% Rh positive and 6.7% Rh negative in males, 52.8% Rh positive and 2.3% Rh negative in females), 11.1% to blood group AB (57.1% Rh positive in males, 39.3% Rh positive in females), and 32.0% to blood group O (54.3% Rh positive and 2.5% Rh negative in males, 38.3% Rh positive and 4.9% Rh negative in females). Conclusion: The distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups in the student population at SALU exhibits a distinct pattern, emphasizing the importance of regional studies in blood group distribution. These findings have significant implications for blood bank management, transfusion services, and healthcare planning in the region.

Open Access
Study of relationship between ABO & Rh Blood group and Type 2 Diabetic Mellitus

Background & Objective: The findings of Arid et al, in 1953 regarding association between carcinoma of stomach and B blood group and successively in 1954 regarding association between peptic ulcer and O blood group opened a new approach to find association of blood group with other commonly occurring diseases. But there are conflicts of reports regarding association between diabetic mellitus (DM) (Type 2 ) and blood groups. Therefore the present study aims to find out whether there is any association between blood group and Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: For this study diabetic patients of both sexes of Haldia and Tamluk subdivision reported in our associated Dr. B. C. Roy Hospital, Haldia are considered. The ABO blood group and Rh factor of both the groups were determined using the Tile or Slide testing method and the frequency of occurrence of ABO & Rh blood group among diabetic & non diabetic population was assessed. The frequency distribution of ABO blood group and Rh factor among the entire DM population was compared with that of general non diabetic population by Chi Square test. Result: The present study indicates that neither the frequency distribution of ABO group nor the Rh factor of diabetic subjects significantly differs from the non diabetic (control) group. Conclusion: The present study suggests that there might have no association between ABO blood group and Rh factor with diabetes mellitus.

Open Access
Relationship Between ABO Blood Group and Pregnancy Complications

ABO blood group system is the most commonly used blood group classification system in clinic practice. The relevant antigens, A, B and H determinants, are complex carbohydrate molecules that are expressed in red blood cells and other cell lines and tissues. These antigens are determined by the ABO locus located on chromosome 9 (9q34.1-q34.2). ABO blood group is associated with the development of many human diseases, e.g., cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, and tumors. The relationship between the ABO blood group of pregnant women and various pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia (PE) and the related diseases, pregnancy associated venous thromboembolism (PA-VTE), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), have become the focus of obstetricians' recent research interest. Herein, we reviewed the relationship between ABO blood group and these pregnancy complications, and found that most of the reported findings supported the following views: 1) Blood type O is a protective factor for PE, while blood type AB increases the risk of PE; 2) blood types other than O are more prone to PA-VTE than blood type O; 3) blood type O or blood type AB may be related to the pathogenesis of GDM; 4) women of blood type O are at higher risks for PPH than those of other blood types. More in-depth epidemiological and genetic studies are needed to confirm these findings in the future. These findings can provide new ideas for researching into the pathogenesis of obstetric diseases and form the theoretical basis for obstetricians to prevent and treat related diseases.

Frequency of ABO Blood Group and Rh (D) Negative Mothers Among Pregnant Women Attending at Antenatal Care Clinic of Sodo Health Center, SNNPR, Ethiopia

Background: - Women need to find out their blood type at the start of their pregnancy. Blood will be taken to find out, and there are four different types: A, B, AB, and O. In addition to blood type, women can have Rh factor (specifically Rhesus D antigen), which is when proteins appear on the surface of the blood. Women who do have Rh factors are classified as Rh positive (A+, B+, AB+, and O+), and women who don't are Rh negative (A-, B-, AB- and O). OBJECTIVE: Assessment of the frequency of ABO blood group and Rh (D) negative among pregnant women attending at antenatal care clinic of Sodo health center. METHOD: a retrospective study was conducted at the Sodo health center ANC clinic from Jan-April 2019. A total of 270 study participants was used. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Socio-demographic information was collected using pretested questionnaires. The data was edited, cleaned, entered, and analyzed by using SPSS 20. Statistical test between dependent and independent variables has been done by using multivariable logistic registration. Moreover, the table and different forms of the graph was used to present data. RESULT: Among a total of 270 study subjects, O comprised 41.1% ‘A’ (28.5%). ‘B’ and ‘AB’ accounts (24.5%) and (5.9%) respectively. Rh blood group results revealed that 7.0% of the participants were Rh-negative. CONCLUSION: This result showed that the most prevalent blood group is O while the least prevalent is the AB blood group. The frequency of Rh (D) negative pregnant women was 7.0%, among these blood group O Rh (D) negative was the most frequent. Generally, the frequency of Rh (D) negative pregnant women in this study is higher than most studies which were conducted elsewhere at different sites of the world which needs a great concern for appropriate prevention and management of Rhesus incompatibility during the antenatal visit of pregnant women.

Open Access
Relationship between maternal abo blood group and rh typing with maternal and perinatal outcome

The ABO blood group type has been considered an independent risk factor in pregnancy-related complications leading to significant morbidity and mortality in pregnant mothers and neonates.
 Aim: To study the relationship between maternal ABO blood group and Rh typing with maternal and perinatal outcomes.
 Materials and methods: Prospective Observational study was carried out for 24 months from November among 1000 pregnant women attending outpatient for ABO blood group and Rh typing with maternal and perinatal outcome.
 Results: Among 1000 subjects, 43.5 % belonged to blood group O, followed by 30 % in blood group B. 20.7 % had blood group A, and 5.8 % had AB blood group. In the present study, 95.4 % had Rh+ve, and 4.6 % had Rh-ve typing. The incidence of preterm labour was high at 6.3 % in the O+ve blood group, followed by 1.8 % in the AB +ve, 0.6 % in the A+ve and 0.3 % in the B+ve blood group. A statistically significant association was found between blood grouping and preeclampsia with high incidence among the A+ve blood group. A statistically significant association was found between blood grouping and imminent eclampsia with high incidence among the AB+ve blood group. There was a statistically significant association found between blood grouping and intrauterine death.
 Conclusion: The findings in the present study will help clinicians to identify the patients at risk of developing adverse pregnancy outcomes like preeclampsia and imminent eclampsia; hence, the timely intervention will help to improve maternal and perinatal outcome and also helps to reduce the complications of preeclampsia and imminent eclampsia.

Open Access
High rhesus (Rh(D)) negative frequency and ethnic-group based ABO blood group distribution in Ethiopia

BackgroundKnowledge of the distribution of ABO-Rh(D) blood groups in a locality is vital for safe blood services. However, the distribution of these blood systems among Ethiopians in general is little explored. This study was, therefore, designed to determine the ABO-Rh(D) blood group distribution among patients attending Gambella hospital, southwestern Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted between November and December 2013 (N = 449). The patients were grouped into two broad categories. Those who originally moved from different parts of Ethiopia and currently residing in Gambella are named ‘highlanders’ (n = 211). The other group consisted of natives (Nilotics) to the locality (n = 238). ABO-Rh(D) blood groups were typed by agglutination, open-slide test method, using commercial antisera (Biotech laboratories Ltd, Ipswich, Suffolk, UK).ResultsOverall, majority of the participants (41.20%) had blood type ‘O’ followed by types ‘A’ (34.96%), ‘B’ (20.48%) and ‘AB’ (3.34%). However, blood type ‘A’ was the most frequent (44.07%) blood group among the ‘highlanders’ and 50.42% of Nilotic natives had type ‘O’. The proportion of participants devoid of the Rh factor was 19.37%.ConclusionsWhile the ABO blood group distribution is similar to previous reports, the Rh(D) frequency is much higher than what was reported so far for Ethiopia and continental Africa.

Open Access