The children of cousin couples are vulnerable to serious mental health problems, a study says

The children of cousin couples are vulnerable to serious mental health problems, a study says

Consanguineous marriages occur between close relatives or first cousins. Children born to first cousin marriages are three to five times more likely to receive medication for mood disorders such as anxiety and depression at some stage in their lives, according to a recent study published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry. In addition, they are twice as likely to be prescribed antipsychotics to treat brain disorders such as schizophrenia.

Although researchers didn't determine why the risk was there, previous research has found that such children are most likely to develop single-gene disorders such as sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, Fragile X syndrome and Huntington's disease, which are responsible for cognitive and learning disorders. These conditions arise when parents of such children inherit certain DNA from a common grandparent.

Lifelong susceptibility to schizophrenia, depression

Researchers looked at 363,960 people who were born in Northern Ireland between 1971 and 1986 and lived up to 2014. Immediately after a child was born, his parents were asked how closely related they were to each other. Participants' mental health was examined by analyzing their prescriptions for antipsychotic and anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications between 2010 and 2014.

According to research, almost one in ten children had parents who were close relatives or second cousins. On average, the lifetime risk of developing schizophrenia ranges from 0.3 to 0.66 percent, while it is twice as high for children of cousins. This implies that there is a 99 percent chance that such children will need antipsychotic medication at some point in their lives.

For most people, the lifetime risk of developing depression is 10 percent, but for children of cousins ​​it is three times higher. This equates to a 70 percent chance that they will never be prescribed antidepressants.

The authors added that single-gene disorders could be widespread in the isolated communities, even if there is no breeding among relatives. According to this, first cousins ​​who want to get married should receive genetic counseling and know-how about the associated risk factors.

Prior to this study, a study was published in 2013 by the Universities of Leeds and Bradford that suggested that children of first cousins ​​are twice as likely to develop fatal congenital defects such as Down syndrome, as well as heart and lung problems.

Consanguineous marriages and mental health of offspring

Blood relatives Marriages have historically been in practice in the Middle East, West Asia and North Africa, as well as in the expatriate community from these regions living in Europe, Australia and North America. Studies In the past, it has been found that psychological disorders such as social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobia, major depression and personality disorders are more prevalent in consanguineous marriages compared to normal marriages.

Children born outside this marriage are at higher risk when parents move to another country to pursue their dreams. The cultural difference and social unacceptability can affect a child's mental and physical health, leaving them with a sense of displacement and isolation, leading to feelings of low self-esteem, hopelessness and inadequacy, which can lead to depression.

Way to sound mental health

Consanguineous couples need premarital and preconception counseling so that they are fully aware of the impending risks. School and community-based programs should be made available to their children to better assess mental health. Awareness programs should also disseminate important information with this section of society in mind. Timely diagnosis can help safeguard the mental health of the vulnerable population.

Inspired by Barbara Odozi