Congenital Heart Diseases in Consanguineous Marriages in Tikrit-Iraq

Consanguineous marriage means a union occur between related individuals as second cousins or closer. Iraq as part Middle Eastern States show a high rate of consanguineous marriage due to tribal society. In Iraq, consanguineous marriage is a socially supported custom. To study the association of consanguinity as a risk factor for congenital heart diseases (CHDs). Patients with suggestive signs of CHD admitted Tikrit teaching hospital were subject to diagnostic investigations. Case data includes: name, age, gender, and cause of admission. Parents data includes: age, residence, degree of consanguinity, and history of family recurrent CHDs. Congenital heart diseases was slightly higher in females than males, and there is 40% of studied cases were from positive consanguinity families. This study shows that the least congenital heart disease age reported was neonatal period, and the highest in ages between 1–5 years. Consanguinity in CHD was present in 81 cases (40%) and absent in 123 cases (60%). Family history in CHD was positive in (38%). most common congenital abnormality associated with CHD was Down's syndrome.