Person with rare Bombay Phenotype Group identified at BGS Global Hospitals

Online, June 13, 2010 (Newswire.com) - BGS Global Hospitals, Bangalore added one more donor with the very rare Bombay Phenotype blood group to their Rare Blood Group Registry.

Annappa Hanumathappa, aged 42 years who hails from Davangere was identified to have Bombay Phenotype Group at BGS Global Hospitals when he came forward to donate blood as his son, 7 year old Darshan admitted to the same hospital for a cardiac surgery required blood transfusion.

Dr. Annapurna Ramesh, Head of Department of Transfusion Medicine, BGS Global Hospitals said, "There are a total of 179 people known to have Bombay Phenotype Blood Group in India and this identification makes him the 180th person to have this blood group."

Dr. Annapurna Ramesh stated, "This group may be commonly mistaken as "O" group and many times not identified at all if proper blood grouping or testing practices are not followed. During routine grouping conducted at our hospital's blood bank, Annappa's blood group showed to be O group, as there was no reaction to Anti-A and Anti-B antibodies. When we performed reverse grouping, it showed agglutination with O cells, hence proving that he has the rare Bombay 'Oh' Phenotype blood Group. Repeated testing of his blood was done to confirm this. It is important to perform reverse grouping or serum grouping to detect the Bombay Blood group."

People with Bombay Blood Group can donate and receive blood only among those with the same blood group. If a Bombay Blood Group recipient is not transfused the blood of a Bombay Blood Group person, it can lead to a haemolytic transfusion reaction which can be fatal.

Dr. N. K. Venkataramana, Vice-Chairman, BGS Global Hospitals said, "At times when this rare blood group is required for surgeries, blood from blood banks in other cities has to be brought or donors from other locations have to travel to the hospital where blood is required. BGS Global Hospital's Rare Blood Group Registry instituted around two years back with an aim to help those in need of rare blood types has around 100 voluntary donors including three donors of Bombay Phenotype. Annappa has also happily agreed to be a voluntary donor."

Bombay Phenotype is one of the rarest blood groups in the country as well as the world. 1 in every 17600 people in India or 1 in every 25000 people in the world has this blood group. This rare group is a result of genetic mutation and it can be common among family members.

Dr Annapurna advises, "If one is O group, make sure it is not Bombay blood group. A person with Bombay Phenotype group should always be cautious and alert not to receive any other blood type. He should always carry an identity card prominently displaying his blood group. In developed countries, one may opt to preserve few units of his blood by cryopreservation for about ten years to be used in case of an emergency. However with facilities currently available in India, it can be preserved only for 45 days."

The hospital's Rare Blood Group Registry helpline is 080 2625 5654