Title : ABO, RH, and Kell blood group antigens frequencies among Saudi population in Qurayyat City, Saudi Arabia
Abstract:
Background: Understanding the distribution of blood group antigens is crucial for optimizing transfusion practices and managing hemolytic disorders. This study aims to analyze the frequencies of ABO, Rh, and Kell blood group antigens in the Saudi population of Qurayyat city, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Qurayyat General Hospital, involving 400 participants from the local population. Blood samples were collected in EDTA tubes and analyzed using gel card technology to determine the presence of ABO, Kell, and Rh antigens.
Results: The ABO blood group distribution in the study population showed that blood group O was the most prevalent at 39.2%, followed by blood group B at 31.9%, blood group A at 23.6%, and blood group AB at 5.2%. Analysis of the Kell antigen revealed that 88% of the population tested negative for the K antigen, while 12% were positive. Regarding the Rh antigen system, the frequency of Rh phenotypes was as follows: RhD positive individuals represented 91.2%, while RhD negative accounted for 8.8%. Among the Rh antigen subtypes, the prevalence rates were highest for D (91.2%), followed by C (21.5%) and E (13.0%). The study also compared these results to global data, finding that the Rh phenotype distribution in Qurayyat aligns closely with that of Caucasian populations.
Conclusions: The study found a high prevalence of blood group O in the Qurayyat population, with a significant percentage also carrying blood group B. Positive RhD and Kell-negative antigens were predominant, indicating a similar distribution pattern to Caucasian populations. These findings highlight the importance of understanding local antigen frequencies to improve blood transfusion safety and manage hemolytic diseases effectively in Saudi Arabia. Future studies with larger sample sizes across different regions are recommended to provide a more comprehensive picture of blood group antigen frequencies in the Saudi population.
Keywords: ABO, RH, Kell, Qurayyat, Saudi Arabia.
