Distribution of ABO and Rhesus Blood Groups in Kashmir Valley

Background: ABO and Rh blood group systems are major clinically significant blood group systems despite that more than 400 red cell antigens have been identified. Blood groups are genetically determined. ABO and Rh blood groups systems besides being most important in blood transfusion, also are important in forensic pathology, disease susceptibility and population genetics. This study aims to determine frequency and distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups among the population in Kashmir valley, J& K, India. Material and Methods: Study was done for a period of one year (March 2013 to February 2014) in the Department of Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, SMHS Hospital, Srinagar, J& K, India. Blood grouping for ABO and Rh status was done by tile agglutination method using commercially available anti-seras. Results: In ABO blood grouping of 7022 blood donor population most prevalent was 0 (34.72 %) closely followed by B (33.34 %) than A (23.88 %) and lastly AB (8.06 %) while in Rhesus grouping, Rh positive donors were maximum (91.17 %) and Rh negative being only 8.83 %. Conclusion: Blood group O is commonest in kashmir valley and AB happens to be rarest.