Risks in consanguineous marriages: an isonymic study.

The effects of consanguineous marriages in various isonymic groups have been investigated. The families like Qureshi, Malik, Jats and Sheikh show higher live-births, prenatal and postnatal loss, and percentage pregnancies in the first cousin and 'all related' parental relationships compared to other groups. Syed, Butt, and Mughals show higher percentage of prenatal and postnatal loss, livebirths, and pregnancies in unrelated parental relationships than other groups. A highly significant correlation between prenatal loss and mean F of each isonymic group in 'all related' parental relationships indicates the depth of consanguinity varies with isonymic groups. The results strongly suggest that preferred first cousin and close relative marriages within isonymic groups be abandoned (JPMA 31:269, 1981).