New insights into the genetic profiles of six critical blood group systems in ethnic northeastern Thais and their implications regarding the risk of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) and transfusion reactions have been recently published in a study in Transfusion Medicine.
HDFN occurs when maternal antibodies, formed against fetal red blood cell antigens after exposure in a previous pregnancy or blood transfusion, cross the placenta and destroy fetal red blood cells. This can lead to severe anemia, yellowish coloration of skin and annexes ( jaundice), permanent neurological damage, and fetal death.
“Currently, 360 antigens are assigned to 45 blood group systems by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) Working Party (WP) on Red Cell Immunogenetics and Blood Group Terminology,” the authors wrote,” In addition to the ABO system, other clinically significant blood groups such as Rh, Kell, Duffy, Kidd, Diego and MNS have been reported to cause severe HTRs and HDFN.”
Understanding the distribution of blood group antigens in specific populations could aid in predicting the risk of HDFN.Therefore, the authors aimed to genotype 345 unrelated, healthy, ethnic northeastern Thais to determine the prevalence of 13 alleles across the six blood group systems.
Results showed that most of the population carried the RHCE*C allele and the Fy01 allele that codes for the Duffy antigen. The Kel allele that codes for the K antigen was not detected in any samples.
The study highlights the significant risk of alloimmunisation and HDFN in northeastern Thais, especially concerning c, E, Fyb, Jka, Jkb, and Mia antigens. These findings emphasize the need for precise prenatal screening and targeted prevention strategies to manage and mitigate HDFN risks effectively.
“The data on blood group profiles and their risk of alloimmunisation have helped us understand which antigens may be more commonly involved in causing immune-mediated HTRs and HDFN in northeastern Thais,” the authors wrote.
