Distribution of ABO and RH Genes in Nigeria

Abstract

Phenotype and gene frequencies of ABO and RH (D) systems were studied in 37,846 random blood donors in five zone of Nigeria (South West) (Yoruba)- Zone A, North West (Hausa- Fulani) -Zone B, Plateau (Birom) _Zone C, South East (Igbo) _Zone D and North East (Kanuri) _Zone E). We assessed the micro differences of genetics markers of ABO and RH blood groups between the ethnic groups in the ABO and RH blood groups systems. Gene frequencies were ABO *O= 0.7068, ABO*A= 0.1490, ABO*B= 0.1443, RH*D= 0.8150 and results are similar to those earlier reported. Phenotype frequencies of blood groups were in agreement with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium expectations, except in two zones B and C where deviation was thought to be due to a high frequency of blood group AB.