The effect of consanguinity on the gestation period and anthropometric traits of the new-born in Southern India.

The effect of consanguinity on the period of gestation and the anthropometric characteristics at birth was studied in a southern Indian population. A total of 1000 new-born babies, born without undue birth trauma, developmental anomalies or acute illness were measured on the first day of their life. They were divided into four groups according to the relationship of their parents as uncle-niece, first cousins, beyond first cousins and unrelated. Birth weight, length and head and chest circumferences of both male and female infants were almost equal in consanguineous and non-consanguineous groups. Neither was the period of gestation significantly different. It is therefore concluded that in this population there is no significant effect of consanguinity on the anthropometric characteristics at birth as well as on the gestation period.