Cityta Putri Kwarta, Kholifatul Ummah, Rakhmalia Imeldawati, Nurul Fathiyyah, Ainun Ganisia, Shinta Nur Rochmayanti, Ida Susila

Correlation of Blood Groups and Haemoglobin Levels in Pregnant Women

Introduction

Correlation of blood groups and haemoglobin levels in pregnant women. Correlation of blood groups (ABO/Rhesus) and haemoglobin levels in pregnant women in rural Lamongan. Blood group B linked to higher anaemia risk. Early screening is crucial.

Abstract

Anaemia occuring during pregnancy represents a significant public health issue, especially in developing countries. Multiple sources have indicated a correlation between blood type and haemoglobin levels, but local data remains limited. This study aims to assess the distribution of ABO and Rhesus blood types and haemoglobin levels in pregnant women in rural Lamongan, Indonesia, and to evaluate the relationship between them. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 pregnant women at Ida Susila's Private Practice (November 2024–May 2025). Blood type data were obtained from the KIA Book, while haemoglobin levels were measured using a digital haemoglobin meter. For the data analysisi, the chi-square test and Spearman’s rho were the chosen statistical tools. Blood type O was the most common (46.7%), followed by B (25%), A (20%), and AB (8.3%). Most respondents were Rhesus positive (96.7%). The highest average haemoglobin levels were found in blood type AB (11.6 g/dl) and the lowest in blood type B (9.9 g/dl). Anaemia was most commonly found in blood group B. Blood group was found to be significantly associated with haemoglobin levels (p=0.009). Blood group, particularly, showed a higher tendency towards anaemia in pregnant women. Early screening of blood group and haemoglobin levels is important for promotive and preventive efforts against pregnancy-related especially in rural areas.

Review

This study addresses a highly relevant public health concern regarding anaemia in pregnant women, particularly within developing nations where local data are often scarce. The objective to assess the distribution of ABO and Rhesus blood types and their correlation with haemoglobin levels in rural Lamongan, Indonesia, is well-defined and contributes to filling a critical knowledge gap. The study’s clear presentation of blood group distribution and preliminary findings, such as the highest average haemoglobin levels in blood type AB and the lowest in blood type B, offers valuable local insights. The identification of a statistically significant association between blood group and haemoglobin levels (p=0.009) warrants further investigation and underscores the potential for blood group screening in targeted preventative efforts. However, several methodological limitations significantly constrain the generalizability and robustness of the reported findings. Most critically, the sample size of 60 pregnant women is very small for a study addressing a public health issue and limits the statistical power and external validity of the conclusions drawn. Furthermore, the stated study period of "November 2024–May 2025" suggests that the research is either ongoing or prospective, rendering the presented results as preliminary or hypothetical, which is problematic for a review of completed research. While the use of a digital haemoglobin meter is mentioned, details on its brand, calibration, and validation, crucial for ensuring measurement accuracy and reliability, are absent. The abstract also lacks information on potential confounding factors that might influence haemoglobin levels, such as nutritional status, parity, or socioeconomic factors, which could affect the isolated association observed with blood groups. Despite these limitations, this study serves as a valuable preliminary exploration into the correlation between blood groups and haemoglobin levels in pregnant women in a specific Indonesian setting. The findings, though limited in scope, highlight the potential for blood group-specific risks for anaemia during pregnancy, reinforcing the importance of early screening and targeted interventions as advocated by the authors. To build upon this initial work, future research should incorporate a significantly larger and more diverse sample size across multiple study sites to enhance generalizability. Further studies could also explore the underlying physiological or genetic mechanisms linking blood groups to haemoglobin levels and consider the interplay of nutritional and other demographic factors to provide a more comprehensive understanding and inform more effective, evidence-based public health strategies.

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