Consanguineous Marriage, Reproductive Behaviour and Postnatal Mortality in Contemporary Iran

Abstract

Objectives: The aims of the study were to determine the prevalence, types and socio-economic correlates of consanguineous marriages in Iran, and to gauge the extent to which consanguinity influenced fertility, pregnancy outcomes and the expression of genetic disorders in the present-day population. Methods: Data on the prevalence of consanguinity and birth outcomes in the first marriages of 5,515 women were abstracted from the 2005 Iran Low Fertility Study [Hosseini-Chavoshi et al: Fertility and Contraceptive Use Dynamics in Iran: Special Focus on Low Fertility Regions. Canberra, Australian National University, 2007]. The results of associated socio-economic variables were collated and assessed by Pearson's χ² analysis and logistic regression. Results: Overall, 37.4% of the marriages were consanguineous (α = 0.0149), but with major differences between 4 representative populations. Consanguinity was higher among rural couples, older marriage cohorts, women marrying at a younger age, and women with lower levels of formal education. In general, consanguineous couples had higher mean numbers of pregnancies, live births and surviving children. Conclusions: Given declining family sizes, a rapid urbanization and increased educational and employment opportunities, it seems inevitable that consanguineous marriages will decline in prevalence in Iran, albeit more slowly in more traditional rural communities. Predictably, there will be a concomitant reduction in the incidence of recessive genetic disorders, but this is against a background transition from communicable to non-communicable diseases.

Parental consanguinity in Hong Kong

“…Our comparison of maternal age and parity showed no significant difference between the consanguineous group and control group. This is in contrast to findings by Islam et al 16 and Hosseini-Chavoshi et al, 17 who found that women in consanguineous unions were younger and of higher parity in Iran and Oman, where the consanguinity rate was more than 30%. Studies in India and Pakistan populations also showed that mothers in consanguineous relationships were more likely to be socially and economically disadvantaged.…”

Family History and Relapse in Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia

“…The gender distribution in our study was similar to previous findings, according to the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Result (SEER) database . The observed consanguinity rate was proportional to that of the population of Iran, at about 37%; however, the rate was has been reported to be higher in Iranian patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia . There was no apparent relation between consanguinity and demographic features of the patients.…”

“…[16] The observed consanguinity rate was proportional to that of the population of Iran, at about 37%; however, the rate was has been reported to be higher in Iranian patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. [17][18][19] There was no apparent relation between consanguinity and demographic features of the patients. Although the phenomenon has not been extensively studied before, it has been described in one study as a cultural custom of Iranian people.…”

Associations between red reflex abnormality, consanguinity and intensive care hospitalization of newborns in Turkey

“…First cousins marry at younger ages and they tend to have a higher mean number of pregnancies than (30). In our study, related spouses had a significantly higher mean number of children than unrelated spouses had, which carries an extra risk of ocular genetic diseases.…”