rare blood groups

Parce que les groupes sanguins sont nombreux et le fruit de nos origines, la diversité des donneur·euses doit refléter la diversité des patient·es afin de permettre à chacun·e de recevoir du sang compatible en cas de transfusion.

Diversity of blood groups

Did you know that apart from the ABO and RH (Rhesus) systems, which define the main blood groups, there are many other distinctive features?

What determines a blood group are these distinctive features present on red blood cells and called antigens. Together, they constitute the phenotype. It is unique in each person, inherited from their parents and influenced by their origins.

There are approximately 367 antigens divided into 41 different systems.

These differences can be compared with the multiple variations of hair colour, although they are grouped into large categories (brown, blond, red, black).

Rare blood here but common elsewhere... or vice-versa!

In some parts of the world, there will then be a large proportion of people sharing the same blood group characteristics, while elsewhere, there may be none or very few.

For example, the phenotype D cc ee is present in 2% of the Caucasian population, 20% of the North African population and 70% of the Sub-Saharan African population.
Another example: in China, scarcely 3 people in 1000 are RH (Rhesus) negative, whereas in Belgium, this figure is 150 people in 1000!

The movement and mixing of populations specific to human history can thus lead to the risk that a blood group is considered rare in a given area. This is the case if it is present in less than 4 people out of 1,000 for the geographical area in question.

This phenomenon concerns everyone and can cause problems finding blood compatible with a person who needs a transfusion.

Transfusion is a matter of compatibility

A person transfused with blood with an antigen that they do not have may react against this antigen and produce substances (antibodies) that will impair the effectiveness of the transfused red blood cells.

This transfusion reaction makes the transfusion ineffective and sometimes causes serious complications.

To avoid the latter, it is therefore essential to transfuse the patient with so-called “compatible” blood, meaning its characteristics (antigens) are similar to those of the patient.

Any one of us may need a transfusion during our lifetime

Many situations may require a transfusion: A car accident, a childbirth with complications or a caesarean section, certain surgical operations etc.

Transfusions are also given to people undergoing chemotherapy or suffering from severe anaemia.

Repeated transfusions are sometimes necessary for people born with genetic blood diseases, such as sickle cell disease or thalassemia. These patients often receive blood from an early age.

The case of sickle cell disease

Our mission: to ensure everyone, regardless of their blood type, receives a transfusion.

It depends on the mobilisation of all of us!

in Belgium, today...

... the majority of blood donors are of Caucasian origin. The blood groups most represented for transfusions are therefore those which are found in the majority of this population.

BUT SOME PATIENTS HAVE RARE BLOOD GROUPS COMPARED TO THE BLOOD AVAILABLE

And this poses real compatibility problems if they need a transfusion, in some cases repeatedly because of their disease (for example, sickle cell anaemia).

TO HELP THEM, WE LOOK FOR DONORS OF ALL ETHNICITIES

It is by increasing the availability of all blood types of the population living in Belgium that patients will be able to receive the blood most compatible with their own.

SO, THAT WOULD MEAN THAT YOU COULD ONLY GIVE AND RECEIVE BLOOD IF YOU SHARED THE SAME ORIGINS?

No. Two people of different ethnicities may have the same distinctive blood group features. But when we examine these many distinctive features present on our red blood cells, the chances of finding compatible blood groups are greater in people who share the same origins.
This limits the risk, for the person receiving the blood, of developing antibodies over the course of transfusions received, known as allo-immunisation. This can lead to a very rare but extreme situation: the transfusion impasse, in which no more transfusions are possible.

Do you have rare blood, or may you be concerned?

Would you like to know more?

We can inform you.

You can also download our brochure.