Statistics reveal that at least 25% children from consanguineous marriages run the risk of genetic problems.
Consanguineous marriages or marrying a blood relative is not a taboo in Indian culture. This practice is predominant particularly in South India. And the offspring from these marriages are the sufferers.
Statistics reveal that at least 25% children from consanguineous marriages run the risk of suffering from genetic problems—retinal and corneal degenerative diseases being the most common.
Consanguinity has been reported as an important factor in the development of autosomal recessive diseases and congenital anomalies.
“Any disease to express itself requires genes in pair. Now, the child inherits one gene from the mother and another gene from the father. In case of consanguineous marriages, there is probability that similar autosomal recessive genes are present in both parents, leading to a dominant presence of a particular disease in the child,” explained Dr Bhujang Shetty, chairman, Narayana Nethralaya.
The hospital gets eight to 10 cases of retinoblastoma or cancer of the eye and at least 15 cases of night blindness, every month.
Both these diseases are common among children from consanguineous marriages.
“The risk of birth defects in the offspring of first-cousin marriages has been estimated at 5% to 8% as compared to 2% to 3% in non-consanguineous marriages. Consanguinity has also been reported to contribute to reproductive hazards, child deaths, spontaneous abortions, and stillbirths.
“There have also been some reports in the literature with positive association between consanguinity, Down’s Syndrome and various congenital heart defects,” said Dr Ramesh Kekunnaya, consultant, paediatric ophthalmologist, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad.
The hospital gets a huge number of cases from children of consanguineous marriages. Incidents of retinal degenerative diseases are predominant, of which night blindness is the most common. “But the disease cannot be detected at birth. Rather, in most cases, the symptoms manifest during the teenage years or later. People suffering from this disease cannot adapt to environment with low illumination,” said Dr Shetty.
“In most cases, these genetic diseases take a severe form and are irreversible and incurable,” he added.
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