ABO and Rh blood group incompatibility among icteric neonates and their mothers in Jos, Nigeria

Context: ABO and Rh blood groups play significant roles in health and diseases, one of which is blood group incompatibility, a common cause of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Aims: The aim of the study is to determine the frequency of ABO and Rh blood group incompatibilities among icteric neonates and their mothers for the purpose of instituting intervention for better neonatal outcomes. Settings and Design: This study was conducted at the Special Care Baby Units (SCBUs) of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BHUTH), and Plateau State Specialist Hospital (PSSH), Jos, Nigeria, from March 2013 to February 2014. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study that includes all jaundiced neonates admitted into the SCBUs and neonates who developed jaundice on admission in the neonatal wards. Subjects and Methods: A total of 150 icteric neonates admitted into the SCBUs of the JUTH, PSSH, and the BHUTH were recruited for this study with their parent's consent. Blood samples were collected from the neonates and their mothers in ethylene diaminetetra-acetic acid and plain bottles for ABO and Rh blood grouping, direct antihuman globulin test, and serum bilirubin (SB) assays. Statistical Analysis Used: Data obtained were analyzed using Epi Info Version 6 software. The results were reported in tables and frequencies, categorical variables were expressed as proportions, whereas continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation and were analyzed using Student's “t”-test. The level of statistically significant relationship was set at P ≤ 5% (P ≤ 0.05). Results: Thirty-four (22.7%) mother–neonate pair had ABO incompatibility with 14 mothers (9.3%) with blood group O, having neonates with blood group A and a mean SB of 249.5 ± 131.4 μmol/L. Three (2.0%) mothers were Rh D negative while their neonates were Rh D positive and showed a positive direct antihuman globulin test with a mean SB of 322.1 ± 246.7 μmol/L. Conclusions: Blood group O and Rh D-positive blood groups predominate while ABO and Rh incompatibilities present a risk for hyperbilirubinemia among icteric neonates in Jos, Nigeria.