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

• Main Authors: Mansoor Salehi, Hosein Asari, Ali Mehrabi Kooshki
• Format: Article
• Language: fas
• Published: Vesnu Publications 2011-03-01
• Series: مجله دانشکده پزشکی اصفهان
• Subjects: Consanguineous marriage; Mental retardation; Risk factors
• Online Access: http://jims.mui.ac.ir/index.php/jims/article/view/722

• 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.