Frequency of ABO Blood Group in Pregnant Women and Its Correlation With Pregnancy-Related Complications

Abstract

Introduction

The ABO blood group type has been considered an independent risk factor in the occurrence of pregnancy-related complications leading to significant morbidity and mortality in pregnant mothers and neonates. This study aims to determine the maternal ABO blood group and its correlation with pregnancy-related complications.

Methods

We analysed data of 497 pregnant female patients aged between 25 and 40 years who presented with a gestational age of > 14 weeks from June 1, 2020, to November 30, 2020. Patients’ age, parity, gestational age at the first visit, body mass index (BMI) at the first visit, ABO blood group, gestational age at delivery, mode of delivery, birth weight of neonate, and pregnancy-related complications including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preterm delivery, low birth weight (LBW), and small for gestational age (SGA) infants were evaluated.

Results

The mean age of 497 patients was 27.6 (27.62 ± 3.35) years. Mean BMI was 22.7 (22.7 ± 3.1 kg/m ²), parity was 1.85 (1.85 ± 2.3), gestational age at first visit was 23.19 (23.19 ± 3.4) weeks and gestational age at delivery was 37.0 (37.0 ± 2.6) weeks. There were 205 (41.25%) spontaneous vaginal delivery and 292 (58.75%) cesarean sections. The average birth weight of the neonate was 2684.31 ± 622.4 g. Preeclampsia was observed in 107 (21.53%), GDM in 17 (3.42%), and preterm delivery in 154 (30.99%) women. Considering the neonatal outcome, 124 (24.95%) babies had LBW and 49 (9.86%) were SGA. The rate of preeclampsia and GDM was not statistically significant among different blood groups while the rate of preterm delivery, LBW, and SGA was significant among women with different blood groups.

Conclusion

We conclude that the ABO blood group is associated with maternal and neonatal pregnancy-related complications when considering the risk of preterm delivery, LBW, and SGA but not with GDM and preeclampsia. This finding will help clinicians to identify the patients at risk of developing pregnancy-related complications and hence, to take timely and appropriate measures.