Marrying cousins is not uncommon. Some countries make marriage with cousins a culture to strengthen family ties. However, there are several things that should be considered before deciding to marry a cousin, especially in terms of health.
There are several risks that lurk in the children of married couples who are cousins. This risk is not only related to physical health, but also mental health of children.
Health Risks that lurk
Health risks due to marriage with relatives or family, including cousins, occur because of the same genetic structure. Some of the health risks that lurk for children of couples who marry between cousins are:
1. Birth defects
Even if there is no genetic disorder in the family, marrying a cousin can increase the risk of giving birth to a baby with congenital defects.
The risk of giving birth to a baby with birth defects in couples married to cousins is 2-3% higher, when compared to married couples without family ties.
2. Immune system disorders
Research shows that couples who marry cousins are more likely to give birth to children with genetic disorders primary immunodeficiency (PID). This genetic disorder can cause defects in the immune system, which makes children more susceptible to infections and autoimmune diseases.
3. Stillborn (stillbirth)
In addition to the risk of birth defects, research also shows that the risk of stillbirth in couples who marry cousins may increase. This risk can even increase if a person is married to a first cousin (child of a father's or mother's sibling).
4. Mental disorders
Not only has an impact on physical health, the mental health of children from marriages with cousins are also vulnerable to experiencing disturbances.
Research shows that children born to marriages with cousins are more at risk of developing the disorder mood and psychosis. Psychosis is a mental disorder that makes it difficult for a person to distinguish between reality and imagination.
The decision to marry a cousin or not, is in your hands. But by knowing these risks, you and your partner can be more aware of what health risks lurk your child later. For more information, you can consult a doctor about this.
