31-07-2025
Explained: CRIB, the world's rarest blood group found in Bengaluru woman
In a groundbreaking advancement in the world of transfusion medicine, researchers have identified a previously unknown and ultra-rare human blood group named CRIB. The discovery, made by a team of scientists in India and the UK, could have major implications for critical care, prenatal diagnostics, and blood donation protocols IS THE CRIB BLOOD GROUP?The CRIB blood group is a newly identified blood type outside the existing major systems like ABO and Rh. CRIB stands for "Chromosome Region Identified as Blood group", though the acronym is also symbolically linked to its relevance in newborn and fetal medicine. It belongs to the INRA (Indian Rare Antigen) blood group system, which was officially recognised by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) in is characterised by the absence of a high-prevalence antigen found in most people. Individuals with the CRIB blood group lack this common antigen, making blood transfusions extremely complex only other CRIB-negative blood can be used, which is extremely IS CRIB BLOOD GROUP IMPORTANT?
While only a handful of people worldwide are known to have the CRIB blood type, its discovery is medically significant. It plays a crucial role in cases of Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN), where antibodies from the mother attack the red blood cells of the fetus. Identifying the CRIB group early in such cases could help prevent life-threatening complications during SCIENCE BEHIND THE DISCOVERYThe blood group was first identified in a patient from Gujarat who required a transfusion, but no compatible blood could be found in regular or rare donor registries. Further investigation revealed the presence of a novel antigen profile. Genetic analysis confirmed that this was an entirely new antigen not fitting into the 43 known blood group systems previously recognised by the further verification and peer review, the CRIB blood group was formally classified and added to the expanding database of human blood group FOR INDIA AND THE WORLDIndia, with its genetically diverse population, has already been the site of several rare blood discoveries. The INRA blood group itself was first identified in an Indian woman in 2017. With CRIB now joining the list, there is growing pressure on Indian medical authorities to invest in rare blood banks, expanded donor registries, and genetic screening programs, especially for pregnant the discovery adds another layer to the understanding of human immunohematology. For clinicians, it means adjusting existing transfusion strategies. For researchers, it presents a new area of study related to genetics, population migration, and disease NEXT?Researchers are calling for the development of a CRIB-specific antibody panel and screening tests that can help identify carriers early. Efforts are also underway to raise awareness amongst healthcare professionals, particularly in regions with high ethnic discovery of the CRIB blood group is a reminder of how much is still unknown about our own biology and how those mysteries can directly impact FACTS: CRIB BLOOD GROUPFull Form: Chromosome Region Identified as Blood groupCategory: Part of the INRA (Indian Rare Antigen) systemDiscovered in: India, confirmed by international expertsSignificance: Crucial in fetal-maternal blood compatibility and rare transfusionsPrevalence: Fewer than 10 known cases worldwide- Ends
