Frequencies and ethnic distribution of ABO and RhD blood groups in China: a population-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectivesABO and RhD blood groups are key factors affecting blood transfusion safety. The distribution of ABO and RhD blood groups varies globally, but limited data exist for ethnic distributions of these blood groups in Asian populations. We aimed to evaluate the distribution of ABO and RhD blood groups among Chinese ethnic groups.DesignA population-based cross-sectional study.SettingData on ABO groups and ethnicities were obtained from the National Free Preconception Health Examination Project (NFPHEP) with participants from 220 counties of 31 provinces in ChinaParticipantsThere were 3 832 034 participants aged 21–49 years who took part in the NFPHEP from January 2010 to December 2012 and were included in this study.Outcome MeasuresThe proportion of ABO and RhD blood groups among different ethnic groups was calculated.ResultsABO and RhD blood distribution was significantly different among nine ethnic groups (P<0.001). Compared with other ethnic groups, the Yi group had more A phenotypes (34.0%), and the Manchu (33.7%) and Mongolian (33.3%) ethnic groups had more B phenotypes. The Zhuang group had the greatest proportion of O phenotypes (41.8%), followed by the Miao group (37.7%). AB phenotypes were more frequent in the Uygur ethnic group (10.6%) but lower in the Zhuang group (5.5%). Meanwhile, RhD negativity (RhD–) was greater in the Uygur group (3.3%) than in the Mongolian (0.3%) and Manchu ethnic groups (0.4%). O RhD– blood groups were more frequent in the Uygur group (0.8%) than in the other ethnic groups (0.1%–0.4%, P<0.001).ConclusionABO and RhD blood phenotypes vary across different ethnic groups in China. The diversity in the distribution of the ABO and RhD blood groups in different ethnic groups should be considered when developing rational and evidence-based strategies for blood collection and management.

Frequency of ABO/Rhesus (D) blood groupings and ethnic distribution in the Greater‐Accra region of Ghana, towards effective blood bank inventory

“…Similar studies conducted elsewhere agree with the high proportion of O+ and the low incidence of AB− observed in our study. For example, the formulas O+ > A+ > B+ > AB+ > O− > B− > A− > AB− (Shrestha et al, ), O+ > A+ > B+ > AB+ > A− > O− = B− > AB− (Liu et al, ), O+ > A+ > B+ > AB+ > O− > A− > B− > AB− (Ndoula et al, ) and O+ > A+ > B+ > O− > A− > B− > AB+ > AB− (Golassa et al, ) have been reported for a Nepalese, Chinese, Cameroonian and an Ethiopian population, respectively. Contrary to this, two studies in India reported a predominance of B+ in their populations: B+ > O+ > A+ > AB+ > B− > A− > O− > AB− (Garg et al, ) and B+ > O+ > A+ > AB+ > B− > O− > A− > AB− (Singh et al, ).…”

“…Knowledge of blood group systems is of key importance in clinical practice. The frequency distribution in any population is useful for effective management of blood bank inventory and for safe transfusion services, especially during emergency situations (Liu et al, ). The ABO and Rh blood groups are also useful in clinical studies, population genetic studies, researching into population migration patterns as well as resolving certain medico‐legal issues, particularly of disputed paternity cases (Garg, Upadhyay, Chufal, Hasan, & Tayal, ).…”

The Patterns of Blood Groups and Its Association with Blood Donation in Saudi Arabia

“…ABO and RhD blood groups, the most well-known blood group systems, are of key importance for transfusion safety and clinical practice and are also thought to be linked with disease susceptibility [4]. The distribution of ABO and RhD blood groups varies globally [5]. Ethnicities differ in prevalence of blood groups and antigens.…”

Optimizing O‐negative RBC utilization using a data‐driven approach

“…This is a particular concern for Stanford Health Care (SHC) and Stanford Blood Center (SBC) because of the demographics of our region. The California Bay Area has a relatively larger percentage of Asian residents compared to the United States, and various studies have shown these populations to have a much lower frequency of O‐negative blood type …”

“…The California Bay Area has a relatively larger percentage of Asian residents compared to the United States, and various studies have shown these populations to have a much lower frequency of O-negative blood type. 5,[9][10][11] In this paper, we approached the problem of inappropriate ON-RBC utilization in a data-driven manner. First, we identified that indeed our ON-RBC donors comprise a much smaller proportion of our overall donor base.…”