• Users Online: 113
  • Home
  • Print this page
  • Email this page
Home About us Editorial board Search Ahead of print Current issue Archives Submit article Instructions Subscribe Contacts Login 

 Table of Contents  
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year : 2017  |  Volume : 12  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 9-12

Blood group pattern and its distribution among blood transfusion recipients in a semi-urban setting in North-West Nigeria


1 Department of Paediatrics, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
2 Department of Family Medicine, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria
3 Department of Medicine, Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State, Nigeria
4 Department of Nursing, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria
5 Department of Haematology, Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State, Nigeria

Date of Web Publication18-May-2017

Correspondence Address:
Ibrahim Aliyu
Department of Paediatrics, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano
Nigeria
Login to access the Email id


DOI: 10.4103/summ.summ_6_17

Rights and Permissions
  Abstract 

Background: The blood group refers to the blood grouping system and their specificity which is genetically determined; however, the “blood phenotype” describes the reactivity of blood to specific testing antiserum. Although racial and regional variations have been established in the prevalence of the blood groups, most of these studies were done among blood donors, but the blood transfusion recipients who actually need these transfusions have been poorly studied. This study seeks to determine the common blood groups encountered among blood transfusion recipients in Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Birnin Kudu. Materials and Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of the blood grouping pattern among blood transfusion recipients in FMC, Birnin Kudu over a 2-year period from January 2011 to December 2013. Blood grouping is determined commonly using venous blood through tile agglutination method. Standard commercially produced anti-A, anti-B monoclonal grouping reagents and anti-D sera are used for the tests and performed at room temperature. Evidence of agglutination is substantiated microscopically after waiting for 2 min. Results: There were 4129 blood requests during the study period; however, 28 of the entries were excluded due to grossly incomplete data. Among the 4101 entries analyzed, there were 1206 (29.4%) males and 2895 (70.6%) females; male/female ratio of 1:2.4. Blood group O (44.1%) was the most common blood group whereas blood group AB (5.9%) was the least; however, majority (96.2%) of the recipients were rhesus positive. Conclusion: Group O and rhesus positive antigens remain the most common blood group distribution among blood transfusion recipients.

Keywords: Blood group, blood transfusion, donors, Nigeria, recipients


How to cite this article:
Aliyu I, Michael G, Ibrahim H, Ibrahim ZF, Isah AO, Kani KM. Blood group pattern and its distribution among blood transfusion recipients in a semi-urban setting in North-West Nigeria. Sudan Med Monit 2017;12:9-12

How to cite this URL:
Aliyu I, Michael G, Ibrahim H, Ibrahim ZF, Isah AO, Kani KM. Blood group pattern and its distribution among blood transfusion recipients in a semi-urban setting in North-West Nigeria. Sudan Med Monit [serial online] 2017 [cited 2018 Jul 22];12:9-12. Available from: http://www.sudanmedicalmonitor.org/text.asp?2017/12/1/9/206563


  Introduction Top


The blood group refers to the blood grouping system, but “blood phenotype” describes the reactivity of blood to specific testing antiserum. The ABO and the rhesus system form the bedrock of transfusion medicine. The ABO was the first described system discovered by Karl Landsteiner in 1901.[1],[2] This consists of the A, B, and O antigens which are codominantly inherited. Blood group O lacks any antigen on the surface of their erythrocytes; hence, they are called universal donors while blood group AB is universal recipient.[3] Similarly, the rhesus blood group system is determined by genes which are closely linked and also codominantly expressed-Fisher-Race gene complex.[4]

Although the ABO and rhesus blood group system are among the earliest discovered, there are other 33 blood group systems such as Duffy [5],[6],[7] but they are of limited clinical application.

The ABO system has made blood transfusion easy; therefore, abating complications such as hemolysis and other transfusion-related adverse reactions resulting from incompatible blood transfusion. Although racial and regional variations have been established in the prevalence of the blood groups, most of these studies were done among blood donors;[8],[9],[10],[11],[12],[13] however, the blood transfusion recipients who actually need these blood have been poorly studied.[14],[15],[16],[17] This study seeks to determine the common blood groups encountered among blood recipients in Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Birnin Kudu. This will further facilitate the proper understanding, planning, and storage of the commonly required blood group types.


  Materials and Methods Top


This study was a retrospective analysis of the blood grouping pattern among blood transfusion recipients in FMC, Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State, Nigeria, over a 2-year period from January 2011 to December 2013. Birnin Kudu is a semi-urban area in Jigawa state; they are predominately of the Hausa and Fulani ethnic groups, and farming is their major occupation. However, the hospital also serves the surrounding towns and state such as Ningi in Bauchi state, Nigeria.

Relevant information was extracted from the blood bank transfusion register; such as their sex, common blood groups such as A, B, AB, O, and the rhesus D antigen status of the recipients, and date/year of receiving transfusion; however, those with grossly incomplete records were excluded from the study. We also ensured that repeat entries were avoided.

Blood grouping is determined commonly using venous blood sampling through the tile agglutination method. Standard commercially produced anti-A, anti-B monoclonal grouping reagents and anti-D sera are used for the tests and performed at room temperature, and evidence of agglutination is seen macroscopically which can also be substantiated microscopically after waiting for 2 min.

Permission to conduct this study was obtained from the Institution's Ethics Committee.

Data analysis

Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16 for Windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA) software was used to analyze this data, and frequency distribution of variables was displayed as percentages.


  Results Top


There were 4129 blood requests during the study period; however, 28 of the entries were excluded due to gross incomplete data. Among the 4101 entries analyzed, there were 1206 (29.4%) males and 2895 (70.6%) females; male/female ratio of 1:2.4.

Blood group O (44.1%) was the most common blood observed, whereas AB was the least reported (5.9%); however, majority (96.2%) of the recipients were rhesus positive [Table 1].
Table 1: Frequency distribution of the blood type among the blood transfusion recipients

Click here to view


Most of the recipients were of the blood group O rhesus positive combination, whereas the least combination was group AB rhesus positive. This pattern was similar among both sexes – males were 13 (43.8%) and females were 1222 (51.2%) [Table 2].
Table 2: Major blood groups combination among the blood transfusion recipients

Click here to view



  Discussion Top


This study showed more females (70.6%) received blood transfusion over the study period; this may be partly attributed to the fact that more female health-related events may require blood transfusion such as per vaginal bleedings following abortions and also pregnancy-related events such as antepartum and postpartum hemorrhages. This observation is similar to those of Musa et al.[18] Similarly, nongynecologic health-related illnesses have been associated with more need for blood transfusion in women than men; Sherwood et al.[19] in their study also reported more females who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention required more blood transfusion than men; why this is so is not completely understood. However, a borderline hematocrit resulting from regular menstrual blood loss may easily predispose them to anemia, hence requiring blood transfusion.

The blood group O was the most common among blood recipients in our report, followed by group B, A then AB was the least; this pattern is similar to the previous report among blood donors;[12],[20] however, the frequencies differed, whereas 44.1%, 25.1%, and 24.9% were recorded in groups O, B, A, and AB, respectively, in our study and Ahmed et al.[12] recorded 64.4%, 18.5%, 15.1%, and 1.8%, respectively. This slight disparity may be related to the fact that the individuals involved in blood donation are widespread and heterogeneous, especially with the concept of voluntary blood donation, institutions are involved in massive widespread campaigns for blood donation; this at times may involve traveling to distant places in solicitation. Therefore, donors are more likely to be more heterogeneous when compared to health-seeking blood recipients who are predominately residents of the locale. Furthermore, findings in this study varied slightly from that reported by Ikponmwen et al.[10] among the Bini ethnic group though blood group O and AB (56.5% vs. 2.2%) were the most common and least, respectively, they found that blood group A was more common than group B (26.3% vs. 15%). Similarly, Enosolease et al.[21] in their study reported the same pattern among blood recipients in Benin, Nigeria, whereas the frequency of group A (24.9%) reported in our study is in agreement with that reported by Enosolease and Bazuaye [21] (23.74%) and Worlledge et al.[22] and it differed from the 27% reported by Ahmed et al.[23] in Northeastern Nigeria.

Rhesus positivity was mostly documented in this study. This is similarly to previous studies in Nigeria.[12],[21],[23] However, the frequencies differed, whereas Ahmed et al.[12],[23] reported a lower frequency of 0.6% and 1.44% among donors in Birnin Kudu and Maiduguri Northeastern Nigeria, respectively, we found a higher frequency of 4% in our study; this is almost similar to those reported among major ethnics (Yoruba, Bini, and Hausa-Fulani) in Nigeria [20],[21],[22],[23] but lower than the 15% reported among Caucasians.[24]

Rhesus antigen positivity was the most common among those in blood group O and lowest in the blood group AB; rhesus negativity also had similar distribution; this pattern was also reported by Chima et al.[11]


  Conclusion Top


Group O and rhesus positive antigens remain the most common blood group distribution among blood transfusion recipients; however, we observed an increased frequency of blood group B and A when compared to previous reports.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

 
  References Top

1.
Owen R. Karl Landsteiner and the first human marker locus. Genetics 2000;155:995-8.  Back to cited text no. 1
[PUBMED]    
2.
Schwarz HP, Dorner F. Karl Landsteiner and his major contributions to haematology. Br J Haematol 2003;121:556-65.  Back to cited text no. 2
[PUBMED]    
3.
Ahmed SG, Hassan AW, Obi SO. The pattern of blood donations in North East Nigeria. Niger J Surg Res 1999;1:76-81.  Back to cited text no. 3
    
4.
Cartron JP. Defining the Rh blood group antigens. Biochemistry and molecular genetics. Blood Rev 1994;8:199-212.  Back to cited text no. 4
[PUBMED]    
5.
Lögdberg L, Reid ME, Lamont RE, Zelinski T. Human blood group genes 2004: Chromosomal locations and cloning strategies. Transfus Med Rev 2005;19:45-57.  Back to cited text no. 5
    
6.
Mitra R, Mishra N, Rath GP. Blood groups systems. Indian J Anaesth 2014;58:524-8.  Back to cited text no. 6
[PUBMED]  [Full text]  
7.
Lögdberg L, Reid ME, Zelinski T. Human blood group genes 2010: Chromosomal locations and cloning strategies revisited. Transfus Med Rev 2011;25:36-46.  Back to cited text no. 7
    
8.
Falusi AG, Ademowo OG, Latunji CA, Okeke AC, Olatunji PO, Onyekwere TO, et al. Distribution of ABO and RH genes in Nigeria. Afr J Med Med Sci 2000;29:23-6.  Back to cited text no. 8
    
9.
Hassan A, Babadoko AA, Ahmed AJ, Isa HA, Suleiman AM. The pattern of distribution of ABO blood groups in North Western Nigeria. Ann Niger Med 2005;1:17-8.  Back to cited text no. 9
    
10.
Ikponmwen DO, Nwogoh B, Isoa ME. Distribution of ABO and rhesus D blood groups among the Bini ethnic group of Southern Nigeria. Ann Biomed Sci 2012;11:71-5.  Back to cited text no. 10
    
11.
Chima OK, Mohammed TB, Aisha KG, Alhaji SA, Muhammad BM, Kwaru AH. ABO and rhesus blood groups among blood donors in Kano, North-Western Nigeria. Niger J Basic Clin Sci 2012;9:11-3.  Back to cited text no. 11
  [Full text]  
12.
Ahmed SG, Umar BA, Saidu AT, Jolayemi B. Pattern and clinical significance of ABO and rhesus-D red cell phenotypes among blood donors in Birnin Kudu, Nigeria. Borno Med J 2004;1:1-6.  Back to cited text no. 12
    
13.
Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria. Nigerian National Blood Policy: Revised November, 2005. Abuja, Nigeria: National Blood Transfusion Service; 2005. Available from: http://www.fmoh.org.ng. [Last accessed on 2015 Oct 12].  Back to cited text no. 13
    
14.
Benedict N, Augustina AO, Nosakhare BG. Blood donation in Nigeria: Standard of the donated blood. J Lab Physicians 2012;4:94-7.  Back to cited text no. 14
[PUBMED]  [Full text]  
15.
Pondei K, Lawani E, Pughikumo C. Blood donor practices at two blood banks in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. J Med Med Sci 2013;4:357-61.  Back to cited text no. 15
    
16.
Bashawri LA. Pattern of blood procurement, ordering and utilization in a university hospital in Eastern Saudi Arabia. Saudi Med J 2002;23:555-61.  Back to cited text no. 16
    
17.
Koster J, Hassall OW. Attitudes towards blood donation and transfusion in Bamenda, Republic of Cameroon. Transfus Med 2011;21:301-7.  Back to cited text no. 17
    
18.
Musa AU, Ndakotsu MA, Hassan AA, Kilishi A, Kwaifa IK. Pattern of blood transfusion request and utilization at a Nigerian university teaching hospital. Sahel Med J 2014;17:19-22.  Back to cited text no. 18
  [Full text]  
19.
Sherwood MW, Wang Y, Curtis JP, Peterson ED, Rao SV. Patterns and outcomes of red blood cell transfusion in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. JAMA 2014;311:836-43.  Back to cited text no. 19
    
20.
Hassan A, Babadoko AA, Ahmed AJ, Isa HA, Suleiman AM. The pattern of distribution of ABO blood groups in North Western Nigeria. Ann Niger Med 2005;1:17-8.  Back to cited text no. 20
    
21.
Enosolease ME, Bazuaye GN. Distribution of ABO and Rh-D blood groups in the Benin area of Niger-Delta: Implication for regional blood transfusion. Asian J Transfus Sci 2008;2:3-5.  Back to cited text no. 21
[PUBMED]  [Full text]  
22.
Worlledge S, Ogiemudia SE, Thomas CO, Ikoku BN, Luzzatto L. Blood group antigens and antibodies in Nigeria. Ann Trop Med Parasitol 1974;68:249-64.  Back to cited text no. 22
    
23.
Ahmed SG, Obi SO. The incidence of ABO and rhesus D blood group in Northern Nigeria. Niger J Med 1998;7:68-70.  Back to cited text no. 23
    
24.
Dacie JV, Lewis SM. Red cell blood-group antigens and antibodies. In: Practical Textbook of Haematology. 8th ed. Maryland, Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 1994. p. 444-51.  Back to cited text no. 24
    



 
 
    Tables

  [Table 1], [Table 2]



 

Top
 
 
  Search
 
Similar in PUBMED
   Search Pubmed for
   Search in Google Scholar for
 Related articles
Access Statistics
Email Alert *
Add to My List *
* Registration required (free)

 
  In this article
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Me...
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
References
Article Tables

 Article Access Statistics
    Viewed896    
    Printed57    
    Emailed0    
    PDF Downloaded117    
    Comments [Add]    

Recommend this journal


[TAG2]
[TAG3]
[TAG4]