GENETIC-HETEROGENEITY STUDY OF NON-SYNDROMIC AUTOSOMAL RECESSIVE SENSORINEURAL DEAFNESS WITHIN THE TUNISIAN POPULATION

The number of loci for non-syndromic autosomal recessive sensorineural (N-SARS) deafness, was estimated within the Tunisian population and c ompared to that obtained in other populations. 30 deaf couples have be en collected from 4 governorates (2 318 900 inhabitants) and 3 village s. Our investigations in these regions show that the percentage of con genitally deaf persons which marry each other is exceptionally low (10 -30%). The number of loci for N-SARS deafness in the governorates samp le was estimated at 8.3. Results could provide data for genetic counse ling and facilitate our research concerning the localization of the di fferent loci for N-SARS deafness present in Tunisian population.