Phenotypic Profile of Rh Blood Group Systems among Females of Child-Bearing Age in Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: To determine the distribution of major Rh antigens and its phenotype in women of child bearing age in Northern Pakistan. Materials and method: The study was conducted in the Armed Forces Institute of Transfusion (AFIT), Rawalpindi in year 2016.A total of 850 female healthy donors of childbearing age from northern areas of Pakistan between 18 to 45 years were included in the study. Forward and reverse ABO grouping was performed by conventional tube method. Rh phenotyping (for rest of the major antigens of Rh system i.e. C, c, E and e) was done using Bio-Rad gel card. Results: The phenotypic frequencies of Rh blood groups in the studied population were D-94.94%, C-87.53%, E-21.41%, c-61.18% and e-98.59%. Thus ‘e’ was the most common and E was the least common of all the Rh types. Phenotypically DCCee group was the most common phenotype. Conclusion: Determination of population based frequency data of Rh antigens and phenotypes can play a major role in predicting and managing haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) and preventing alloimmunization and avoiding adverse events in multi-transfusion cases.