A safeguarding report has identified cousin marriages as a significant factor in child deaths in Bradford, with genetic conditions more prevalent among children of south Asian heritage. The report by the city's child death overview panel reviewed 69 child deaths, finding that 43% were due to chromosomal, genetic, and congenital anomalies, conditions more common in consanguineous relationships.
More than two-thirds of the deaths involved children under one year old, with 65% of the deceased children being of south Asian background, despite this group comprising only 37% of the under-18 population. The report noted that Bradford's proportion of deaths from genetic anomalies (25%) exceeds the national average.
The report recommended genetic counselling and raising awareness of risks associated with consanguineous marriages. It highlighted that autosomal recessive conditions are twice as likely in consanguineous couples, and that 53% of south Asian children who died from genetic conditions came from families with cousin marriages.
Other risk factors included obesity and smoking. A Bradford council spokesperson stated they are working with the NHS to provide genetic counselling to at-risk families, enabling informed choices about future pregnancies.
