Autosomal recessive disorders among Arabs: an overview from Kuwait

Area of Science:

• Medical Genetics
• Population Genetics
• Human Genetics

Background:

• Kuwait's population is diverse, with a high rate of consanguineous marriages within Arab communities, leading to genetic isolates.
• Genetic services have been established in Kuwait for over ten years.
• Arabs exhibit a high prevalence of genetic disorders, particularly autosomal recessive traits, with unique patterns and some common conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of autosomal recessive disorders in the Arab population of Kuwait.
• To highlight the significance of genetic services for the prevention and treatment of genetic disorders in Arab countries.

Main Methods:

• Review of personal experience and published studies on genetic disorders in Kuwait.
• Analysis of population characteristics, including consanguinity and genetic isolates.

Main Results:

• A significant number of new genetic syndromes and variants have been identified in Kuwait, often due to homozygosity from inbreeding.
• Examples of common autosomal recessive disorders include Bardet-Biedl syndrome, Meckel syndrome, phenylketonuria, and familial Mediterranean fever.
• Some identified syndromes, initially considered private, have been found in other global populations.

Conclusions:

• The Arab population in Kuwait exhibits a unique spectrum of autosomal recessive disorders.
• Inbreeding contributes to the high frequency of certain genetic conditions.
• There is a critical need for enhanced genetic services across Arab countries to address the burden of genetic disorders.