The Association of ABO Blood Types with Childhood Leukemia

Background and aims: The ABO antigens of the human blood group show diverse phenotypes, and the genetically generated glycoconjugate structures on the surface of red blood cells are crucial to both normal and pathological cell function. Since the discovery that antibodies and antigens are inherited, researchers have been examining the relationship between blood type and disease. The link between the ABO blood group and susceptibility to specific infectious and noninfectious disorders has, however, given rise to some problematic concerns due to the absence of antigens for some blood groups. Our study’s objective is to identify the frequency of various hematological malignancies associated with the ABO blood group in the pediatric cancer units at Al-Kuwait Hospital in Sana’a City.

Patients and method: Children with leukemia who received selected care at the Pediatric Leukemia Unit of Kuwait University Hospital in Sana’a were the subject of a cross-sectional investigation. Over a 5-year period, pediatric leukemia units developed group diagnoses and histological diagnoses in accordance with the French, American, and British classifications of pediatric leukemia. Age, sex, and blood types were investigated as leukemia-related factors. Rates and the computation of OR, CI, X2, and p values through probability tables (2x2 tables) were used to determine the relationship between leukemia and blood group in comparison to age- and sex-matched controls from the general population.

Results: Leukemia in 332 patients was identified, treated, and monitored. Leukemia was associated with mean SD age of 7.96 3.93 years by 6-10 years (67.8%). While there was no significant association with other blood groups, there was a significant association between gp AB and the risk of pediatric leukemia, with odds ratios of 2.3, 95% CI = 1.2-6.95, and p-value 0.01. Contrary to Rh-negative, which was a very significant risk factor for children leukemia with an associated odds ratio of 6.43, a CI of 2.2-6.3, and a p-value of 0.0001, however, Rh-positive was the protective factor against childhood leukemia.

Conclusion: Our ABO phenotypic research demonstrated a comparable relationship between Yemeni childhood leukemia risk and genetically determined human ABO blood types as AB blood group and negative Rh factor. However, further research is necessary, particularly at the molecular level in relation to ABO blood types and their correlation with leukemia.

Keywords: Childhood leukemia, Associated factors, Odds ratio (OR), ABO blood group, Rhesus factor, Yemen.