Commentary and Review Series 1-98
Blood group frequencies in atomic-bomb survivors and their children
Izumi S, Preston DL, Ohara JL, Hamilton HBSummary
Objectives. The genetic background of Japanese atomic-bomb survivors and their children is important for genetic and epidemiologic studies. We describe frequencies for ABO, MNS, Rh, and Kell blood group systems in these cohorts.
Materials and methods. Using serological data on large fixed cohorts of survivors and their children, we estimated phenotype and allele frequencies and tested for departures from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) as well as geographical and generational differences in frequencies.
Results. Significant departures from HWE were observed in both cohorts for the ABO, where A was subdivided into A1 and A2, MNS, and Rh systems. With the exception of the ABO system of children, allele frequencies differed significantly by city. No significant generational differences in alleles were observed.
Conclusions. The small variations seen may be due to inbreeding, typing errors, or the presence of variant alleles. In general, blood group frequencies for the survivors are not strikingly different from those in other Japanese populations.
Objectives. The genetic background of Japanese atomic-bomb survivors and their children is important for genetic and epidemiologic studies. We describe frequencies for ABO, MNS, Rh, and Kell blood group systems in these cohorts.
Materials and methods. Using serological data on large fixed cohorts of survivors and their children, we estimated phenotype and allele frequencies and tested for departures from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) as well as geographical and generational differences in frequencies.
Results. Significant departures from HWE were observed in both cohorts for the ABO, where A was subdivided into A1 and A2, MNS, and Rh systems. With the exception of the ABO system of children, allele frequencies differed significantly by city. No significant generational differences in alleles were observed.
Conclusions. The small variations seen may be due to inbreeding, typing errors, or the presence of variant alleles. In general, blood group frequencies for the survivors are not strikingly different from those in other Japanese populations.