ABO blood group and Rhd phenotypes in Bahrain: Results of screening school children and blood donors

ABSTRACT

Frequencies of ABO blood groups and Rh types show geographic variations. To estimate frequencies of ABO groups and Rh types in Bahraini subjects. Frequencies of ABO blood groups and Rh types along with the respective gene frequencies were estimated in two study groups [1] 5675 Bahraini school students in age group 16-20years and [2] 7362 adult Bahraini blood donors. Frequencies of ABO groups in both study groups showed Group O>Group B>GroupA>Group AB. Both study groups also showed >90 percent frequency of the RhD phenotype. The frequencies of ABO and Rh phenotypes in Bahrain are similar to those reported from most areas in the Arabian Gulf region. These frequencies appear to be intermediate between Europe and south/south-east Asia