Researchers say, Cousin Marriages doubles the risk of birth defects in newborn babies. According to researcher, 31% birth defects among children in Pakistani communities are due to first cousin marriages. These defects mostly include cardiovascular (Heart) and Nervous (Brain, Spinal cord) disorders, which often proves Fatal (causing death). The death ratio due to birth defects increased from 3% to 6% in Pakistani communities which is an alarming increase. Researchers also found incensement in birth defects in white British women, which rose from 2% to 4% if they get married at/after 34 years.
Every year, there are 90 more baby deaths in England and Whales than expected in Pakistani communities. This is very highly sensitive problem because cousin marriages are cultural tradition of many Pakistani communities, and it is difficult to advocate changes in other people’s cultural traditions, but still awareness should be spread among the young generation of Pakistani communities.
This data has been collected from: www.theguardian.com