Publication:

Association of ABO blood group and Rh factor in cleft lip and palate patients

Background One of the most common congenital malformations, with widespread racial and regional variation is an orofacial cleft. The occurrence is attributed to an array of environmental and genetic factors. Blood grouping and Rh factor are genetically determined. Any possible association of clefts with them helps in planning interventional services.

Methods A case control observational study was conducted on 111 samples who were cases presenting with oral clefts in Super speciality hospitals and other 111 samples who came to hospital for their treatment other than for cleft lip or cleft palate, were controls in the study. Cases were evaluated for various phenotypes of clefts. Blood samples of each case and control was collected to elaborate on blood group genotype and Rh typing. SPSS 22.0 version was employed for statistical analysis.

Results The most common blood group noted in cases as well in controls respectively was type ‘B’ in 31.5% and 43.2%, while blood group ‘AB’ was noted the lowest in both cases (14.5%) and controls (7.3%).Rh positive was noted 94.6% in both cases and control population. Clefts were observed more in male population than female counterparts.Cases of cleft lip and palate (CLP) was noted the highest, in 61 (55%) of cases, followed by defects in lip, palate and lastly in soft palate.

Conclusions Though not associated to the biological characteristics of cleft lip and palate in the current study, the functional importance of ABO blood group distribution may be the subject of future research. Identification of any associative traits for clefts assesses individuals with risk so as to help eliminate the chance of occurrence and early identification for better prognosis.