Consanguinity Linked to Increased Risk of Hearing Loss in Children, suggests study
Researchers have established that consanguineous marriages greatly elevate the risk of congenital hearing loss among children in Saudi Arabia. A recent study was conducted by Shawq F. A. and colleagues which was published in the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. The prevalence of hereditary hearing loss in Saudi Arabia is mainly due to first-cousin marriages, which are a widely practiced cultural norm.
A search was performed in September 2023 on the databases of PubMed, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE. Two reviewers conducted independent screening and data extraction. The review focused on Saudi Arabian studies regarding hereditary hearing loss. The review ensured ethical practice in dissemination because it utilized only research articles that were public and excluded any study that involved humans or animals. Due to heterogeneity in study designs and outcomes, a meta-analysis was not possible.Due to the heterogeneity of study designs and outcomes, a meta-analysis was deemed not feasible.
Results
• Prevalence of Consanguinity: Rates of consanguineous marriages varied between 21.1% and 80.8%, where first-cousin marriages were the most prevalent.
• Risk of Hearing Loss: Children born from consanguineous marriages had a highly significant risk of CHL than those born from non-consanguineous unions.
• Increased Risk: The risk of CHL in children born to consanguineous parents was 3.5 times higher.
• Genetic Factors: Genetic and hereditary influences were constantly reported across the studies with varying prevalence and contributing risk factors.
Consanguinity has serious consequences on the childhood hearing health of Saudi Arabia, and targeted interventions are therefore necessary. Some of the suggested measures include:
• Educational Programs: To increase awareness about the genetic risks associated with consanguineous marriages.
• Genetic Counseling: Providing couples with comprehensive genetic information and support to make informed decisions.
• Premarital Screening: Expanding mandatory screening programs to include hereditary hearing loss markers and counseling.
This systematic review uncovers a significant correlation between consanguineous marriages and the increased predisposition of Saudi Arabian children to congenital hearing loss. This calls for sound public health policies, such as education, genetic counseling, and premarital screening programs, which would significantly alleviate the hereditary burden of hearing loss and lead to better outcomes in this regard.
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