Role of Consanguineous Marriages in Mental Retardation; A Study in a Rural Population

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Shool of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

2 Medical Student, Shool of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran.

3 Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran.

Abstract

Background: According to general statistics, almost 3% of children at school age are mental retard. Many risk factors, especially consanguineous marriages, may lead to these disorders.Methods: In a case-control study performed in Khominishahr rural areas, Isfahan in 2009, all of the patients with mental retardation were entered. In this study, 206 patients and 412 age and sex matched controls were studied. Data gathering was carried out through face to face interview by an investigator.Finding: 133 patients (64.6%) of case group and 128 indivisuals (31.1%) of control group had parents with consanguineous marriages (P < 0.001). Among all investigated factors, seizure, family history, severe stress during pregnancy, mother education level, father education level and consanguineous marriage significantly increased the risk of mental retardation [12 (11.2-15.5), 8.7 (4.7-16), 7.8 (4-17), 4.4 (2.6-12), 3.8 (1.2-6.5) and 2 (1.4-2.4) times, respectively].Conclusion: Consultation before marriage is very important for prevention of mental retardation and other congenital disorders.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 28, Issue 116 - Serial Number 116
September and October 2011
Pages 1076-1083

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History

  • Receive Date: 07 March 2011
  • Revise Date: 01 November 2024
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2022

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