Effect of Consanguinity on Low Birth Weight: A Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Genetics

Background:

• Consanguinity, defined as shared ancestry between couples, presents a global public health concern.
• Existing epidemiological research on consanguinity and low birth weight (LBW) yields inconsistent findings.
• This meta-analysis addresses the need for a comprehensive assessment of the consanguinity-LBW association.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically evaluate the overall association between consanguineous marriage and low birth weight (LBW).
• To synthesize evidence from diverse study designs regarding the impact of consanguinity on infant birth weight.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted across major databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect) up to May 2015.
• Included studies comprised cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional designs examining consanguinity and LBW.
• Random-effects meta-analysis was employed to calculate pooled odds ratios (OR) and mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CI), assessing heterogeneity and publication bias.

Main Results:

• Twenty-four studies involving 44,131 participants were included in the meta-analysis.
• First-cousin marriages showed a significant association with LBW (OR = 1.36; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.69).
• First-cousin marriages were associated with a 144g reduction in birth weight compared to non-consanguineous unions.

Conclusions:

• The meta-analysis indicates that consanguineous marriage is associated with an increased risk of LBW.
• While current evidence suggests a link, robust conclusions necessitate further large-scale cohort studies in varied settings.
• Consanguinity remains a significant factor to consider in public health initiatives aimed at improving infant birth weight.