Prevalence of Rhesus c and e Phenotype Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.

Rhesus (Rh) antigen was discovered in 1940 by Karl Landsteiner and Wiener. In later years, because of its immunogenicity along with ABO antigens, Rh D antigen testing was made mandatory before issuing a compatible blood. Presently there are five major Rh antigens (D, C, E, c and e) in the Rh blood group system. The aim is this study is to determine the prevalence of Rh c and e phenotype among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic (ANC) in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto. The prevalence and distribution of Rh c and e phenotype was determined among 200 consecutively recruited pregnant women aged 18-45 years and mean age 27.19 ± 4.72 years. Samples were tested for Rh c and e phenotype using the conventional tube agglutination method using Lorne Laboratories (UK) anti c and e antisera. Out of 200 samples studied, the prevalence of Rh c was 92% while Rh e was 98.5%. We observed a statistically significant ethnic variation in the distribution of Rh c and e antigens among the pregnant subjects (p = 0.05 and 0.02) respectively. The prevalence of Rhesus c and e antigens was significantly higher among the Hausa ethnic group compared to the other ethnic groups. A significant number of antenatal attendees were better educated with secondary and tertiary education compared to those with primary and non-formal education. We recommend that all pregnant women in the area be screened for the presence of clinically significant red cell antigens including Rh c and e blood group antigens on their first antenatal visit. There is need to introduce routine alloantibody screening for clinically significant red cell antibodies to facilitate the effective management of anti-c and e related haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn as well as to prevent haemolytic transfusion reactions. Policy should be developed to facilitate optimum stocking of c and e negative cell in blood bank for emergency use in the area.