Background: Despite the numerous studies confirming the involvement of consanguinity in health problems, some populations around the world continue to practice this marital behavior. Algeria, like many Arab-Muslim countries, has very high consanguinity rates that require studies to measure the effects on public health. This study aims to estimate the frequency of consanguinity and to analyze its effects on two health indicators, namely abortion, neonatal, and postnatal mortality, and it focused on the population of Beni Abbes in southwestern Algeria previously known to be a genetic isolate. Results: The results of the study revealed a high consanguinity rate of 55.06% with a clear preference of first cousin marriages. A highly significant correlation was highlighted between inbreeding and the incidence of abortion as well as post and neonatal mortality. Conclusion: These results are an encouraging indicator for further future genetic studies on this population, especially since this locality is likely to remain a genetic isolate. In order to reduce the adverse health effects of consanguinity, it is essential to establish genetic counseling services in health facilities and to promote the dissemination of information on risks arising from consanguineous marriages through health education for populations.

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Background: Trisomy 21 or Down syndrome is the first chromosomal aberration described in humans. It is the most common case of abnormal chromosome number with an occurrence of 1/800 live births. There are 6 million cases worldwide. Nearly 80,000 cases of trisomy 21 are documented in Algeria. The objective of our study is to give an epidemiological profile of Tlemcen's population with trisomy 21. Methods: This is a prospective study of 38 children diagnosed with trisomy 21, who present a specific clinical picture to this syndrome (mental retardation, dysmorphic syndrome, presence of congenital malformations, etc.). Children are admitted to two mental psychological centers for mentally ill children (PPCs) located in the south of Tlemcen (19 in the PPC of Sebdou, 10 in the PPC of Sid Djilali) and the Union of the Mentally Deprived (UMD) association of Tlemcen -(9 children). For this study we had the consent of the parents of each child. We collected data using a pre-established questionnaire for parents and by referring to the medical and administrative records of the children. Data included age, sex and birth order, mother's age, father's age, presence of a history of the syndrome, consanguineous parental marriage, and number of miscarriages in the mother. Results : The children's population with Down syndrome is aged between 4 years to 23 years old (among them, 48.65% <10 years old, 40.55% between 10 years to 18 years old, and 10.8% > 18 years old). The sex ratio is 5 males to 4 females. Our results do not present an influence of consanguinity on the occurrence of Down syndrome (only 17.14% of trisomic children are from a consanguineous marriage, compared to 82.86% from non-consanguineous marriages) and for the 38 children diagnosed with trisomy 21, no child has a history of this syndrome. On the other hand, maternal age is incriminated as a risk factor for occurrence of this pathology because in about 60% of cases the maternal age is greater than 35 years old, in 10% between 30 years to 35 years old, and in 30% less than 30 years old. Conclusions: Down syndrome remains the most common chromosomal aberration in Tlemcen's population as compared with other world populations. The occurrence of this syndrome is strongly correlated with advanced maternal age, however, in order to better understand the prediction of this syndrome, we should increase the number of samples analyzed with studying other factors.

Background: According to WHO, prostate cancer is the second most frequent cancer in men. Prostate cancer is a complex, multifactorial disease with genetic and environmental factors involved in its etiology. The age, family history and the ethno-racial background are the strongest risk factors for prostate cancer. Objective: To study the epidemiological, genetical and clinical aspects of prostate cancer in Tlemcen's population. Methods: We made a cross-sectional study on 184 patients with prostate cancer received at the Urology Division of Tlemcen's teaching hospital, from 2011 to 2016, resident in Tlemcen's city. The collected information included the age at diagnosis, the geographical location, family history of cancer, Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level and Gleason score on biopsy. Results: The median age of our patients was 73 years with extremes between 53 and 7 years. The most frequent age group was 70-80 years with 50% of the total sample of 184 cases. Seventy-four percent of patients have a very high PSA level (higher than 20 ng/ml). Thirty-two percent of the cases have a highly aggressive cancer, and 66% with moderately aggressive cancer. The examination of family history shows that 37% of patients had family history of cancer, 45% of whom are prostate cancer. The inherited form of prostate cancer is noticed in 4.9% of cases. Conclusion: This study raises a number of questions, considering the high number of family history noticed in this study, and suggests the existence of genetic determinants, and the interactions gene-environment influencing the genesis of this cancer. An earlier diagnosis is essential, according to these data, especially for men at a "high risk" of this cancer, which will constitute an essential tool for more effective anti-cancer strategy.