Maqbool Alam.
ABO and Rhesus blood groups in potential blood donors at Skardu (northern areas).
Pak J Pathol Jan ;16(3):94-7.

Objectives: Blood groups are genetically determined and incidence of ABO and Rh groups varies very markedly in different parts of the world and in different races. This study was conducted to document the frequency of ABO and Rhesus blood groups in potential male blood donors belonging to Skardu district of Northern Areas. Study design: It was cross sectional, prospective and observational study. Place and duration: It was carried out at Skardu district in 2004. Material and method: The study group included a total of 1045 volunteer males from 20 to 40 years of age during blood donation campaign in different areas of the district Skardu in 2004. Blood was extracted and ABO and Rh blood grouping was carried out by tube method using commercially prepared antisera. The frequency of each type was calculated separately. Results: The most common blood group was A (30.62%) followed by B, 0 and AB (26.80%, 26.60%, 15.98%) respectively. Out of 1045, Rhesus positive blood group comprised 991 (94.83%) and Rhesus negative was 54 (5.17%). The most frequent ABO phenotypes linked with Rhesus was A+(29.38%) followed by B+ (25.55%), 0 + (24.79%), AB + (15.12%), 0 – (1.86%), A- (1.24%), B – (1.24%) and AB – (0.86%). Conclusion: Our results show that the most common blood group is A positive in Skardu in contrast to other studies from Pakistan. Knowledge of the distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups is important for blood bank and transfusion services in particular area.

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