EFFECTS OF CONSANGUINITY ON ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS OF NEWBORN-INFANTS

The effects of parental consanguinity on gestational age and birth mea surements were evaluated on 2880 newborn infants. Consanguineous marri ages were considered in three subgroups: first-cousin, first-cousin-on ce-removed and distant-cousin marriages, versus non-consanguineous mar riages. Anthropometric parameters were weight, length, leg length, hea d, chest and mid-arm values obtained within 24 h of birth. No signific ant differences were found concerning gestational age. Although anthro pometric values were slightly less, especially in children from first- cousin couples, the differences were insignificant for all groups. It was concluded that blood-relationship alone does not affect such multi factorial traits.