CONSAGUINITY AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH GENETIC DISORDERS: A DECADE OF RESEARCH IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Consanguinity means marriages within blood relations, mostly spouses are first or second cousins. This type of marriage is found throughout human history. Consanguinity causes genetic disorders like neurogenetic disorders, heart, dental anomalies, blood, skin, muscular, metabolic, and structural disorders. Additionally, it is also noted that prenatal and postnatal negative outcomes are very high in consanguineous marriages as compared to other populations. The use of modern genetic sequencing techniques, comparative analysis of consanguinity in different regions, psychosocial and ethical implications, public health recommendations, and future research directions in Pakistan are also underscored in this review. The prevalence of consanguinity is higher in Pakistan as compared to other countries in the world due to cultural and religious backgrounds. These investigations uncover the sensitivity and future consequences of this practice. This review will highlight the prevalence of consanguinity and its association with genetic disorders in Pakistan. The last ten years, from 2015 to 2025, published research work on consanguinity and genetic disorders is included in this review.

Consanguinity, Genetic disorders, Prevalence, Psychosocial, Sequencing, Pakistan.