Inbreeding and the incidence of childhood genetic disorders in Karnataka, South India
Devi, A.R.; Rao, N.A.; Bittles, A.H.
Journal of Medical Genetics 24(6): 362-365
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-2593 PMID: 3612707 DOI: 10.1136/jmg.24.6.362Document Number: 501125
Consanguineous marriages are strongly favoured among the populations of South India. In a study conducted on 407 infants and children, a total of 35 genetic diseases was diagnosed in 63 persons: 44 with single gene defects, 12 with polygenic disorders, and seven with Down's syndrome. The coefficient of inbreeding of the total study group, F = 0.0414, was significantly higher than that previously calculated for the general population, F = 0.0271, and autosomal recessive disorders formed the largest single disease category diagnosed. The results suggest that long term inbreeding may not have resulted in appreciable elimination of recessive lethals and sub-lethals from the gene pool.