Consanguinity and inherited epilepsies

ABSTRACT

As a working defi nition, unions contracted between persons biologically related as second cousins or closer are categorized as consanguineous. The offspring of consanguineous relationships are at greater risk of certain genetic disorders. Recent studies have shown a signifi cantly higher rate of consanguinity among parents of epilepsy patients and a signifi cantly higher rate of epilepsy among family members with consanguineous marriages for both cryptogenic and idiopathic epilepsies. Carrier detection and genetic counseling programmes have been very successful in reducing the incidence of inherited disorders in many populations. Models for prevention of hereditary diseases due to consanguinity should be multiaxial focusing on public education on genetic diseases and also deal with applicable preventive measures. These programmes are most successful when they are sensitive to the cultural backgrounds of populations in which they are applied.