Korean J Blood Transfus.  2016 Aug;27(2):105-112. 10.17945/kjbt.2016.27.2.105.

The Change in Distribution of Red Blood Cell Antigens in Korean Youth: In an Era of Multicultural Society

• Shin KH
• Kim HH
• Lee HJ
• Ahn TY
• Park KU
• Hong YJ
• Kwon JR
• Choi YS
• Kim JN

• KMID: 2350665
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.17945/kjbt.2016.27.2.105

Abstract

BACKGROUND
It is important to check the blood group antigens to ensure the safety of blood transfusions. Recently, the number of multicultural families and foreigners has increased in Korea; therefore, a survey for red blood cell antigens for multicultural families is need. We performed a phenotyping of their red blood cell antigens and found the characteristics in providing basic data.
METHODS
We recruited young people under the age of 26 years from multicultural family between September 2015 and March 2016. The participants were divided into two groups: the multicultural youth group (MCY) and the non-multicultural youth group (non-MCY). Subjects underwent phenotyping of ABO, Rh, Kell, Kidd, Duffy, MNS, and Diego blood group, and the results were compared and characterized between the two groups.
RESULTS
A total of 226 subjects (89 MCY, 137 non-MCY) were recruited. The blood groups with differences between MCY and non-MCY were E, e in Rh and S in MNS. In MCY, the frequency of CDe expression in the Rh blood group was higher and the cDE expression was lower. There were 3.4% and 2.2% of MCY with no expression of Fy(a) and s, respectively, which were rare blood types in Koreans.
CONCLUSION
The difference in frequency of red blood cell antigens between MCY and non-MCY have been identified. These results suggest that the national blood policy reflects an increasing number of multicultural families and Korea needs to be prepared for a population change.

Keyword

Blood group antigens; Rh-Hr blood Group system; Korea

MeSH Terms

Adolescent*
Blood Group Antigens
Blood Transfusion
Emigrants and Immigrants
Erythrocytes*
Humans
Korea
Blood Group Antigens