Distribution of ABO, Rhesus phenotypes, and Kell blood group antigens among pregnant women of Lelna ethnic group in Kebbi State, Northwest Nigeria
Momodu Imoru, Samuel Babangida, Osaro Erhabor, Hussaini Alhassan Mohammed, Stephen EgeonuObjectives:
The distribution of ABO, Rhesus (Rh) (D, C, E, c, and e), and K antigens varies from one region or ethnic group to another. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of ABO, Rh phenotypes, and Kell antigens among pregnant women of Lelna ethnic group in Kebbi state, Northwest Nigeria.
Material and Methods:
One-hundred and ninety-six pregnant women, aged 18–42 years, were recruited for the study from the antenatal Clinic of General Hospital, Zuru, Kebbi State, between October 2021 and November 2022. ABO, Rh (D, C, E, c, and e), and K antigens were determined using standard techniques.
Results:
The study showed the prevalence of blood groups A, B, O, and AB as 20.9%, 13.3%, 64.3%, and 1.5%, respectively, while Rh (D)-positive and Rh (D)-negative individuals were 95.4% and 4.6%, respectively. The frequencies of C, E, c, e, and K were 15.3%, 14.3%, 14.3%, 20.9%, and 6.6%, respectively. However, cDe/cDe (RoRo) had the highest frequency of Rh phenotype of 70.4% while CDe/cDe (R1Ro) had the least frequency of Rh phenotype among Rh (D) positive pregnant women, but cde/cde (rr) phenotype had the highest prevalence among the Rh (D) negative pregnant women of 3.1%.
Conclusion:
The study has shown that blood group O and cDe/cDe (RoRo) were the most common ABO and Rh blood group phenotypes, respectively, among the pregnant women of the Lelna ethnic group in Kebbi state. This knowledge can serve as a guide to the blood bank in adjusting the bloodstock by blood type and assuring adequate blood supply to meet up with the demands of the patients and, most especially pregnant women to minimize or prevent blood transfusion reactions in the locality.