A Study of Association of Consanguineous Marriages with Congenital Anomalies Among the People Around RHTC of a Medical College in Karimnagar

Abstract

Introduction: Congenital anomalies are a major health problem all over the world; especially it is important cause of deaths and birth defects, chronic illness and disability in infants. The major cause of this is consanguineous marriages. Generation of cousin marriages have significant association with congenital anomalies Objective: To find out the association of consanguineous marriages with congenital anomalies present at the time of birth Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in 2022: The adult individuals aged between 19 to 55 years, with and without cousin marriage of both genders were consecutively enrolled. Participants were assessed through pre-tested questionnaire, with prior written informed consent. Unwilling married individuals and individuals from other hospitals were not selected Results: According to results there was a significant association between generation of cousin marriages with congenital anomalies present at the time of birth, as p value was 0.002 Conclusions: Study concluded that the generation of cousin marriages has significant association with congenital anomalies present at the time of birth and due to cousin marriage 59% of the couples had congenital abnormalities in their children and 85% had genetic disorders.