Breaking the Cycle: The Need for Awareness on the Ill Effects of Consanguinity in India

Estimates show that almost 40%-50% of patients visiting the Centers of Excellence for rare diseases in India with a genetic problem have a history of consanguineous marriages in their families. This highlights the need for awareness and immediate action to reduce the burden of genetic disorders in India, especially considering the challenges in accessing the high-cost treatment of many of these disorders in India.

Social Reasons Behind Consanguineous Marriages

In India, consanguineous marriages are often preferred due to various social reasons. For instance, marriages within the same caste or community are considered desirable, and this often leads to marriage between close relatives. Additionally, parents may view consanguineous marriage as a way to preserve family wealth, maintain property ownership, or ensure a stable family structure.

Scientific Evidence

Several scientific studies have shown that consanguineous marriages can significantly increase the likelihood of genetic disorders in newborns. Most LSDs are inherited in an autosomal recessive way: a child is affected only if both parents pass on the same faulty gene. Parents who are related by blood are more likely to carry the same faulty gene, inherited from a shared ancestor, which is why consanguinity raises the risk of these disorders.

In Saudi Arabia, a study of 125 patients with LSDs (“Prevalence of different types of lysosomal storage diseases in Saudi Arabia” by Ozand et al., 1990) found that several of these disorders were concentrated within particular families and tribes, a pattern the authors attributed to consanguineous marriages within tribal boundaries. In the United Arab Emirates, a study of LSDs diagnosed between 1995 and 2010 (“Prevalence and Novel Mutations of Lysosomal Storage Disorders in United Arab Emirates” by Al-Jasmi et al., 2013) found that some LSDs were several times more common than in Western countries, and that over 40% of the Emirati patients came from just 5 of 70 Emirati tribes.

The risk is not limited to LSDs. A study of newborns in hospitals in and around Beirut, Lebanon (“Consanguineous marriage and congenital heart defects: A case-control study in the neonatal period” by Yunis et al., 2006) found that babies whose parents were first cousins were more likely to have congenital heart defects.

Steps to Raise Awareness

Raising awareness about the ill effects of consanguineous marriages is crucial to prevent the burden of genetic disorders like LSDs. It is important to educate the public about the risks associated with consanguineous marriages and to promote the adoption of healthy practices like premarital counseling and genetic testing. Additionally, healthcare providers should be trained to identify and manage patients with genetic disorders, and counseling services should be made available to individuals and families affected by such disorders.

Conclusion

Consanguineous marriages may be a deeply ingrained cultural practice in some parts of India, but it is essential to recognize the risks associated with such marriages. The prevalence of genetic disorders in families with a history of consanguinity highlights the urgent need for awareness and action. Through education and counseling, we can help break the cycle of consanguinity and ensure that all children have the opportunity to live healthy, fulfilling lives.

Updated on 9 November 2026: the studies cited under “Scientific Evidence” were checked and corrected.