Study of rh-d, c,c,e & e antigens on red blood cells to find out the percentage of phenotypes and its frequency in an indian population

The phenotype of a red cell is defined by the presence or absence of D,C,c,E, and e antigens. A detailed knowledge of Rh system gene frequencies in an Indian population is very important in blood transfusion service in area such as antenatal work, percentage testing and for selecting compatible blood in problem transfusion. From serological studies it is often impossible to determine the true genotype of person in the absence of family information, phenotypes are often symbolized as the most probable genotype deduced from known haplotype frequencies. Red blood cell transfusion in patients with clinically significant mixture of antibodies require the availability of matched blood units lacking the antigens to which antibodies are directed. This implies the need to phenotype RBC unit to one or several antigenic system since only ABO and RH-D are usually typed. The Rh phenotypes and its frequencies have been studied and established in many western countries, as well as in Asia, whereas very sporadic data is available on phenotyping and its frequency in Indian population.