A study on the prevalence of rhesus factor among pregnant women visiting at tertiary care center in north karnataka

Background: Hemolytic disease of the newborn, secondary to Rhesus D (Rh D) iso-immunization, contributes significantly to perinatal morbidity and mortality. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the frequency of different blood groups in the region with special reference to Rh factor which would not only help in blood transfusion services but also eliminate the risk of erythroblastosis fetalis in the neonates Materials and Methods: A 0ne and half year retrospective study of rhesus negative women was carried out at civil hospital, Belagavi between March2013 to September2014. Result: The prevalence rate of Rh D negative women in North Karnataka for antenatal care, 205 (4.58%) were Rh D negative women. Out of that 68 (33.17%) of the Rh D negative women were of blood group A followed by blood group B 67 (32.69%), blood group O 47(22.93%), and blood group AB 23 (11.21%), respectively. Conclusion: There is a need for adequate counseling of pregnant women on the importance of Rh D negative factor during the antenatal period in order to prevent hemolytic disease of the newborn.