For the first time P blood group null phenotype has been detected in India. It is a very rare blood group and only 1 in 1000 people have it. The Blood Bank at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal found this rare blood group when a patient came to the hospital for treatment. Dr Shamee Shastry, prof. Head Dept of Immunohaematology and Blood Transfusion told local media that the patient had a very rare ‘P’null blood group and anti PP1PK antibody in his blood that has a potential to cause acute intravascular hemolytic reaction to incompatible blood transfusion. This antibody is also known to cause recurrent abortions in women. Finding compatible unit for such case is a near impossible task without a well-established rare donor panel. A rare donor registry will be of great help in managing such cases the doctor said.
Another rare blood group that was found in India is the Bombay Blood Group. Bombay blood group or hh blood group also a rare blood group was first reported in Mumbai in 1952 by Dr Bhende.
