title: Relationship between ABO blood group and pregnancy complications: a systematic literature analysis.
abstract: Given the expression of ABO blood group antigens on the surface of a wide range of human cells and tissues, the putative interplay of the ABO system in human biology outside the area of transfusion and transplantation medicine constitutes an intriguing byway of research. Thanks to evidence accumulated over more than 50 years, the involvement of the ABO system in the pathogenesis of several human diseases, including cardiovascular, infectious and neoplastic disorders, is now acknowledged. However, there is controversial information on the potential association between ABO blood type and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including pre-eclampsia and related disorders (eclampsia, HELLP syndrome and intrauterine growth restriction), venous thromboembolism, post-partum haemorrhage and gestational diabetes. To elucidate the role of ABO antigens in pregnancy-related complications, we performed a systematic review of the literature published in the past 50 years. A meta-analytical approach was also applied to the existing literature on the association between ABO status and pre-eclampsia. The results of this systematic review are presented and critically discussed, along with the possible pathogenic implications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantua, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Franchini
authors.affiliation: University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mengoli
authors.affiliation: Section of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lippi
mesh_terms: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D017359:HELLP Syndrome; D006801:Humans; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism
chemical_list: D000017:ABO Blood-Group System