Consanguinity and associated perinatal outcomes, including stillbirth

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Reproductive Health
• Genetics and Public Health

Background:

• Consanguinity, union between related individuals, is increasingly prevalent in Australia due to migration.
• Existing evidence on consanguinity's association with adverse obstetric outcomes is limited and conflicting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of consanguinity on perinatal outcomes.
• To identify specific risks associated with consanguineous pregnancies.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of singleton births over a decade at an Australian tertiary hospital.
• Data extracted from hospital obstetric database.
• Analysis of consanguinity's association with stillbirth, threatened premature labor, fetal congenital abnormality, perinatal mortality, and neonatal outcomes.

Main Results:

• Consanguinity was associated with higher rates of threatened premature labor, fetal congenital abnormality, and perinatal mortality.
• Consanguinity was an independent risk factor for stillbirth (RR 2.88).
• A reduced risk of hypertension in pregnancy was observed in consanguineous pregnancies.

Conclusions:

• Women in consanguineous relationships face elevated risks of adverse perinatal outcomes, including stillbirth.
• The 5% prevalence of consanguinity necessitates improved preconception counseling and obstetric care.
• Findings have significant implications for healthcare resource allocation.