Inbreeding effects on fetal growth in Beirut, Lebanon

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Abstract
Effects of consanguineous marriages on offspring's gestational age and anthropometrics at birth were investigated in Beirut through a hospital‐based survey of 1,252 newborns. Twenty‐five percent of all newborns were inbred, and the mean inbreeding coefficient was 1.25%. Neither prematurity rate nor weight, length, head circumference, and chest circumference (considered individually, or as a whole) showed a significant pattern by type of parental consanguinity. Failure to demonstrate significant inbreeding effects is reported in several other studies and generally interpreted as the long‐term result of continued inbreeding practices.