Abo blood group - a risk factor for pregnancy induced hypertension

Abstract

Hypertension is one of the most common medical problem encountered in pregnancy and is a major cause of maternal, fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in both developing and developed countries.. Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) complicates approximately 15% of all pregnancies. In India, its incidence ranges from 5—15 %(In primiparous- 16% and in multiparous- 7%). The exact cause of PIH is not known and is thought to be multifactorial. Since ABO blood groups are known to be associated with various pathological conditions, so the present study was undertaken to assess any association between ABO blood group with PIH. 1000 cases of PIH and 1000 primi women with normal blood-pressure were included in the study. PIH cases were divided into four groups depending on their severity of PIH. Using blood group O as a reference, odds ratios was calculated and the association of different groups of ABO blood group in the categories of PIH were assessed. Compared with blood group O, all non-O blood groups had modest but statistically significant higher odds of pre-eclampsia. Blood group AB had the highest risk for PIH (OR =21.132,95% CI-15.344-29.105).The association of blood group AB was also higher than all blood groups in all categories of PIH. The present study suggests that AB blood group is a risk factor for PIH