EFFECT OF CONSANGUINITY ON CONGENITAL DEFECTS

CONTEXT/BACKGROUND: Congenital malformations have been known and recognized for centuries. It is a stimulating problem for research because of the high frequency of their occurrence and the influence of consanguinity on these defects is even more devastating problem. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of consanguinity in occurrence of congenital defects and occurrence of more common types of congenital defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was done retrospectively in Government medical college and civil hospitals between 1 st Oct. 2011 till 31 st May 2012. A total of 182 congenitally defective live births and still births admitted in above hospitals in same period were studied against total deliveries taken place. Information was collected by using questionnaires and pedegree charts were formed. Information about consanguinity, degree of consanguinity, type and subtype of anomaly etc. was obtained. Data obtained was statistically analysed and compared with previous studies. RESULTS: Incidence of congenital anomalies was 1.16%. Cardiovascular defects were the most common type of anomaly and atrial septal defect was most common subtype. Third degree / first cousins was the most common type of degree of consanguinity found amongst all. Male pre-ponderence was found amongst the anomalous births. Frequency of consanguineous marriages was found more in muslims than hindus. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. Births with congenital defects were commonly occurring among normal births and the incidence calculated was 1.79 % in the present study. 2. Cardiovascular defects were most common type of defects. 3. In the present study, it was found that third degree consanguinity cases were most common, about 56.25 % out of all 48 consanguineous cases. 4. In the present study congenital defects were found to occur more commonly in consanguineous unions than