Consanguinity and childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a case-control study

Abstract Background Consanguineous marriage is widely practised across the world. Its effect on acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) controversial as both parents share some of genes which might increase incidence sharing recessive genes. However, other theories suggest that consanguinity have a protective factor it does for types cancers. This study aims to childhood ALL and consanguinity. Methods case-control study, conducted in major paediatric hospital Damascus, Syria, using medical records. Case group included children with ALL, while control patients were matched by gender age. Results comprised 386 patients, 193 cases. Overall, 136 consanguineous marriages (36.8%), there was no difference overall between cases controls. when only comparing non-consanguineous fourth-degree consanguinity, fourth degree significantly higher among case group, suggesting negative correlation OR = 0.387 (0.187–0.801) contrast third-degree different two groups ( p > 0.05). We found significant association having family history cancer 0.05) or parents’ educational level Conclusion Our research suggests leukaemia. not observed Previous studies had contradicting data demonstrates need further research.