Blood groups and types,hemoglobin variants,and G-6-PD deficiency among Abu Dhabians in the United Arab Emirates

Some erythrocyte genetic factors were studied in the indigenous population of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, on the south-eastern coast of the Arabian peninsula. Determinations carried out included blood groups and types ABO, MNS, Rh_o, KkJs^a, Fy^aFy^b, P₁, Le^a, Vel^a, hemoglobin variants, and screening for G-6-PD deficiency. Prevalence of most blood groups and types harmonized with that among neighboring Arabs and some Arabs elsewhere. The MS and NS gene complexes were noticeably high. African admixture was expressed by the presence of Js^a and Hb S and large numbers of Fy. G-6-PD deficiency was rather high.