Understanding Rarest Blood Type

AB negative is considered as the rarest blood type in today’s world where there are more than 30 blood groups and over 600 different blood group antigens. There are several inherited antigenic substances present on the surface of RBCs (red blood cells) and on the basis of these blood types are classified. A blood type is also commonly known as a blood group. Depending upon our blood group system the antigens can be classified as proteins, carbohydrates or glycoproteins. These antigenic substances are not only present on the surface of the RBCs but also present on the surface of some other cells.

Blood Group

Blood groups or blood types are always inherited from both the parents and they signify the contribution of both the mother as well as the father. ISBT (International Society of Blood Transfusion) has now clearly defined a total of 30 human blood group systems. There are several blood group systems; however ABO system is the most important one. AB negative is the rarest blood type as it is found in less than 1% of the total human population. The ratio of someone having a rare blood type is so less that only 1 out of 1000 will have such a blood type. In order to define a rare blood type, the person should lack the same antigens or should share the same uncommon antigens with only one person in 1000. If a person lacks the same antigens with one person in 10000 then the blood group is considered as a very rare blood group. Rarest blood type or rarest blood group typically lack H antigens alongside A and B antigens. Such rarest blood types are known as Bombay blood types because they were first discovered in Bombay.

Most Common Blood Type

O Blood Type or O+ Blood Type is considered as the most common blood type as around 37% population in the United States has this particular blood group. A blood type or A+ follows O+ as the most common blood type as it accounts for 34% of the United States Population. O- and A- are other common blood groups as they account for 9% and 7% of the total human population. Another common blood type or group is B+ as 5% of the human population has this blood group. The rest of the blood groups are pretty rare with AB- being considered as the rarest blood type.