Prevalence Of Consanguineous Marriages Research Articles

EFFECTS OF CONSANGUINEOUS MARRIAGES ON ORAL AND CRANIOFACIAL STRUCTURES: A STUDY ON DENTAL PATIENTS IN NORTH INDIA

Background: Consanguinity describes a relationship between two people who share an ancestor, or share blood. These consanguineous marriages are a major risk to the health of offsprings till the extent that they can cause various craniofacial abnormalities, orofacial pigmentations and other abnormal birth defects. We conducted a study on patients visiting a dental college in North India to accesses the possible deleterious effects of consanguineous marriages on oral and craniofacial structures. Methodology: The study group comprised of all the patients visiting outpatient department of Kotiwal Dental college and Research centre, Moradabad in North India from March 2009 to February 2010. 200 patients showed positive history of consanguinity. They were carefully evaluated and all the diagnostic information was noted. Results: 66 out of 200 patients had systemic disorders like cardiovascular, pulmonary and renal disturbances. 56 patients had orofacial manifestations like orofacial pigmentations, craniofacial syndromes and occlusal abnormalities with or without systemic disorders. Conclusion:The prevalence of consanguineous marriages is still high. Consanguineous marriages are a major risk to the health of offsprings till the extent that they can cause various craniofacial abnormalities, orofacial pigmentations and other abnormal birth defects. They increase the autosomal recessive conditions through the expression of recessive deleterious alleles, especially in the offspring of first degree cousins.

CONSANGUINITY IN LEBANON: PREVALENCE, DISTRIBUTION AND DETERMINANTS

The union of individuals with a common ancestor may lead to serious health consequences in their offspring. Consanguinity is high in Middle Eastern communities; it was around 26% in 1988. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of consanguinity in Beirut and other Lebanese regions, and its associated factors in different subgroups. The cross-sectional study was performed on a convenience sample of married women in Lebanon. The women were administered a standardized questionnaire in a face-to-face interview by independent enquirers. Among 1556 women, the overall prevalence of consanguineous marriages was 35.5%, and the consanguinity coefficient was 0.020; 968 marriages (62.2%) were not consanguineous, 492 (31.6%) were first cousin, 61 (3.9%) were second cousin and 36 (2.3%) had lower degrees of consanguinity. Beirut suburb dwelling, low education subgroups, women working in the home and non-Christian religion presented the highest rates of consanguinity (p<0.05). Consanguinity is associated with couples' nulliparity and child chronic morbidity. Factors that could affect consanguinity are having consanguineous parents, having a favourable opinion towards consanguinity, choosing a spouse for religious reasons, particularly in Islam, woman having a low education, woman working in the home and women thinking that consanguinity would not lead to serious diseases. Consanguinity is therefore still a prevailing problem in Lebanon. Specific health education, and genetic counselling in particular, are suggested to explain the consequences of consanguinity to the general population and to help couples make informed choices.

Is There a Significant Trend in Prevalence of Consanguineous Marriage in Tehran? A Review of Three Generations

Consanguineous marriage is a common practice in Iran. The present study surveyed the trend in consanguineous marriage across three generations of Iranians. Index cases, consisting of 400 individuals attending the diabetes and osteoporosis clinic in Shariati Hospital, were interviewed. Data on consanguinity status for 1789 marriages within the index cases' families were obtained. Generation 1 consisted of marriages contracted before 1948, Generation 2 consisted of marriages contracted between 1949 and 1978, and Generation 3 consisted of marriages contracted after 1979. Prevalence of consanguineous marriage within these three generations was 8.8%, 16.6% and 19%, respectively, and represented a significant trend (p < 0.001). First cousin marriage was the most common type of consanguinity (69%). Socioeconomic level of families was not significantly related to having a consanguineous marriage. These data suggest that premarital genetic counseling and mass media efforts are needed to increase public awareness about genetic risks associated with consanguineous marriage.

The Prevalence of Consanguineous Marriages in an Underserved Area in Lebanon and Its Association with Congenital Anomalies

Consanguinity is a recognized common practice among marriages in the Middle East. Many studies have suggested a strong association between first cousin marriages and the incidence of autosomal recessive diseases and congenital anomalies. The objectives of this study were to study the prevalence of consanguinity among the marriages of Bekaa (a region in Lebanon) with its sociodemographic correlates, and to assess the prevalence of congenital anomalies associated with these marriages. This study was a cross-sectional study done in three of the major areas of the Bekaa region. The sample size consisted of 552 households chosen based on proportionate random sampling according to population size in each area. The survey was conducted based on face-to-face interview with a member of the couples of each household. The overall prevalence of consanguineous marriages was reported to be 42% with first cousin marriage constituting around 31% of the total marriages. No association was found between different socioeconomic status (SES) correlates and first cousin marriages. Results showed a significant association between first cousin marriage and mental retardation, physical retardation, bilateral cleft lip +/- cleft palate, cystic fibrosis, and congenital blindness. In a population with a high degree of inbreeding, the formulation of a public health program with multiapproach strategy, including education about the anticipated genetic consequences, prenatal diagnosis, neonatal screening, and genetic counseling, is a necessity.

Short Report: A study of consanguinity in the Sultanate of Oman

Omani society has a long tradition of consanguinity, which goes back to preIslamic times. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of consanguineous marriage and the mean coefficient of inbreeding in Oman. Consanguinity rates among 60 635 couples (20.8% of the national population of childbearing age) were determined on the basis of a questionnaire in major delivery units. In this large survey, which included all sections of the community, 24.1% of marriages were reported between first cousins and 11.8% of marriages were between second cousins. In addition, a further 20.4% of marriages were contracted within specific tribal groupings. Because of the strictly endogamous nature of the tribal groups in Oman, all marriages would be expected to be consanguineous to some degree, albeit at a level beyond that of second cousins (F

Early child health in Lahore, Pakistan: II. Inbreeding.

The prevalence of consanguineous marriages was studied in 940 families belonging to four different socio-economic groups in and around Lahore, Pakistan. The births occurring in these families from September 1984 to March 1987 were also investigated for birth defects. The overall prevalence of consanguineous marriages was 46%. The first cousin marriages were most common (67%), followed by the marriages between second cousins, 19%. The prevalence of consanguineous marriages was clearly associated with the socio-economic status of the study groups; 50% of the marriages was related in the periurban slum, 49% in the village, 44% in the urban slum and 31% in the upper middle class. The birth defects were also more prevalent in the poorer areas, being highest in the periurban slum (17.7%) followed by the urban slum (15.6%) and then the village (14.8%) and lowest in the upper middle class (12.3%). Although, the frequency of both consanguinity and birth defects were related with the socio-economic levels of the study groups, there was no association between inbreeding and birth defects. Perhaps, deleterious recessive genes for birth defects have been "bred out", because of continuous inbreeding over generations in this population. There was a significant predilection of major birth defects in boys without clear sex linkage. The conclusion is that the rate of consanguineous marriages was high, especially in the poorer areas, but the relationship between consanguineous marriages and birth defects was little or none. However, other child health indicators may be affected by consanguineous marriages.

Consanguineous marriages in Beirut: time trends, spatial distribution.

To provide some information on consanguineous marriages, a population based-description of consanguineous marriages in Beirut is presented. A health survey of the city of Beirut, undertaken from July 1, 1983, to August 31, 1984, covered 13,736 individuals, comprising 3033 ever- married women. These women provided information on their marriage and the kinship between the spouses, as well as on the religion, educational and occupational status of their husbands. Armitage's test was used to assess the significance of the time gradient in consanguineous marriages and Bartholomew's test used to assess the significance of the variation in religion, educational level, and occupational status of the residents by level of endogamy in the sector. The overall prevalence of consanguineous marriages was 25%. 56% of marriages occurred between 1st cousins. Splitting the 1st cousin marriages by pedigree showed that patrilateral parallel-cousin marriage was well represented, amounting to 52.2% of all cousin marriages. Over time, consanguineous marriages significantly declined the mean proportion varying from 30% before 1950 to 25% between 1950-69, to about 20% starting form 1970. Cousin marriages remained stable over time, while marriages between distant relatives underwent a significant decline. Rates of consanguineous marriages was computed by sector and mapped. Rates were higher in the western part of the city, comprising a majority of Muslim inhabitants, than in the eastern part, mostly Christian. The higher the proportion of consanguineous marriages, the higher the proportion of husbands of low educational level, of low occupational status, and of Muslim religion.