The effect of Consanguineous Marriages on Congenital Malformation

Consanguinity has been a long-standing social habit among some of Iranians . The estimation of consanguinity ratios in different parts of Iran ranged from 30 to 85%. Th is study aimed to delineating the role of consanguinity on cong enital .malformations in Khominishahr rural population, Isfahan, Iran . Methods: In a case-control study, 518 malformed population (case group) and 518 normal subjects (control group) were randomly selected from khominishahr rural population, from July to November, 2003 . Results: The frequency ofconsanguinity of par ent s was 59.7% in case group and 31.5% in control group . This different was statistically significant (p 0.00 I). Conclusion: Family history of congenital malformation may play an important role in the high rates of congenital malformation.