The influence of the ABO blood type on the distribution of von Willebrand factor in healthy children with no bleeding symptoms

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of ABO blood groups on von Willebrand factor-ristocetin cofactor activity (vWF-RCo) and on vWF-antigen (vWF-Ag) in children who have no personal or familial history of bleeding. Material and methods: A survey and testing were performed on 200 children with no personal or familial history of bleeding. In all, 100 of them belonged to blood group O, and the remaining 100 belonged to other blood groups. The blood samples were stored at ?80°C for a maximum period of 2 weeks to detect vWF-RCo and vWF-Ag levels. Results: The mean vWF-Ag (±2 standard deviation [SD]) level in children with blood group O was 86% (±20%); and for those with non-O blood group, it was 98.8% (±25%). There was a significant difference between the 2 groups (P