KUMJ | VOL. 16 | NO. 1 | ISSUE 61 | JAN.-MARCH, 2018
Ethnic Variations of Blood Groups in a Medical College of Eastern Nepal
Niroula DR, Jha MK, Limbu P, Pokhre I, Yadav SK, Mukhopadhyay S
Abstract: ABSTRACT
Background
Red blood cells contain antigens in its membrane which are inherited according
to Mendelian law. ABO and Rhesus blood group systems are considered the most
important blood group systems for clinical procedures, blood transfusion, organ
transplantation, anthropological study and medico-legal purposes. Determination
of ABO and Rhesus blood groups and its frequency distribution in a multiethnic
country like Nepal is important for effective management of blood banks, safe blood
transfusion services. The trend of blood groups and its ethnic distributions in the
eastern part of Nepal is still unknown.
Objective
To find the distribution of blood groups among the subjects of different ethnic groups
of eastern Nepal.
Method
A cross-sectional perspective study was carried out among the subjects visited in the
laboratory of Nobel Medical College, Biratnagar, Nepal for a period of one year from
August 1, 2015 to July 30, 2016.
Result
The 11,960 subjects were included in the present study, among which 5012 were
males and 6948 were females. The study revealed that in ABO system, blood group
distribution was 34.80% O, 28.66% A, 27.66% B and 6.89% AB. With regard to Rh
blood group system, Rhesus +ve was 96.79% and Rhesus –ve was 3.21%. O blood
group dominant ethnic groups were Brahmin, Bhujel, Biswakarma, Shah, Gurung,
Marwari, Magar, Mahato, Mandal, Newar, Sanyasi, Tamang, Terai Brahmin and
Yadav. Similarly, blood group A dominant ethnic groups were Chhetri, Dhimal, Limbu,
Rai and Muslim. Howerver, blood group B was dominant in ethnic groups, namely
Biswakarma, Rajput, Satar and Tharu.
Conclusion
The frequency distribution pattern of ABO blood group was observed as O > A>
B > AB and in Rhesus system, Rhesus +ve > Rhesus –ve. Variation in blood groups
distribution was observed in various ethnic groups.
Keyword : ABO system, Blood group, Eastern Nepal, Ethnic group, Rhesus system
