Consanguinity is a term used to describe the degree of biological relationship between two individuals, namely the degree of kinship (Larsson et al., 2014). It is traditionally defined as a relationship between individuals who are biologically related through a common ancestor (Paskeviciute & Kupryte, 2020). The concept of consanguinity is of significant importance in medical genetics, as it is associated with a higher risk of genetic disorders and birth defects in offspring (Kelleher et al., 2020).
The prevalence of consanguinity varies by region, with higher rates in certain parts of the world such as the Middle East, South Asia and North Africa (Paskeviciute & Kupryte, 2020). It is estimated that consanguineous marriages account for 10-50% of all marriages in these regions (Larsson et al., 2014). In addition, consanguinity is associated with a higher rate of infant mortality, lower birth weights and a greater risk of genetic disorders in offspring (Kelleher et al., 2020).
The biological mechanisms underlying the increased risk of genetic disorders and birth defects in children born to consanguineous parents are complex and not fully understood (Larsson et al., 2014). However, one of the primary causes is said to be the increased probability of homozygosity (Paskeviciute & Kupryte, 2020). Homozygosity occurs when both copies of a gene are the same, and this can lead to an increased risk of recessive genetic disorders.
In conclusion, consanguinity is a term used to describe the degree of biological relationship between two individuals. It is associated with a higher risk of genetic disorders and birth defects in offspring, as well as higher rates of infant mortality and lower birth weights. The biological mechanisms underlying these increased risks are still being investigated, but homozygosity is thought to play a significant role.
References
Kelleher, A., Fahy, T., Corcoran, P., Perry, I. J., & McAuliffe, F. M. (2020). The impact of consanguinity on neonatal and infant mortality in Ireland. PLOS ONE, 15(10), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0241295
Larsson, M., Akesson, A., & D’Onofrio, B. M. (2014). Consanguinity in modern societies: A review. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 56(7), 613–620. https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.12358
Paskeviciute, A., & Kupryte, K. (2020). Consanguinity and its effect on health. In Encyclopedia of Environmental Health (pp. 1-9). Elsevier. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780081026991000117