HOW FREQUENT ARE CONSANGUINEOUS MARRIAGES?

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of consanguineous marriages in parents and grand parents of alladmitted children in a pediatric unit Design: An observational study. Methodology: All patients admitted over one year period from January to December 2001 in Unit 1 ofPediatric Department were included. Information was obtained regarding consanguinity of parents andg ran d p a ren ts o f the ch ild ren . C lin ic a lly ev id en t in h e rite d d iso rd e rs were also noted.Results: Consanguinity was found in 72.7% of marriages. First cousin marriages were seen in 87% whilesecond cousin marriages were seen in 12%. Consanguinity was also seen in the grandparents. It was foundin 64.15% of maternal and 60.3% of paternal grandparents. Conclusion: Cousin-marriages are a norm in the population studied. Its effect on inherited disorders deservesfurther studies.

Keywords

• consanguinity
• inherited disorder
• social norms.