# Consanguinity: The innocent culprit in autism severity

## TL;DR

This study found no significant link between consanguinity and autism severity in a sample of children from Oman.

## Contribution

The study provides new evidence on the lack of correlation between consanguinity and ASD severity in a specific population.

## Key findings

- Consanguinity was reported in 59% of the ASD cases studied.
- No significant correlation was found between consanguinity or homozygosity and ASD severity levels.
- Most ASD cases were classified at severity levels 2 and 3.

## Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between consanguinity and the severity of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental condition influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.

This retrospective study, conducted at the Genetic & Developmental Medicine Clinic at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), Muscat, Oman, examined the records of 139 children aged 1.5 to 14 years who were diagnosed with ASD between June 2011 and May 2024. The study analysed the correlation between consanguinity, homozygosity and ASD severity.

Of the 139 cases evaluated, 74.1% were male, with an average age of diagnosis of 4.5 ± 2 years. Most ASD cases were classified at severity levels 2 (63.3%) and 3 (35.3%). Consanguinity was reported in 59% of the cases, with a mean homozygosity rate of 4.6%. No significant correlation was found between consanguinity or homozygosity rates and ASD severity.

No significant association was found between consanguinity or homozygosity rates and ASD severity. Further research is necessary to explore the genetic mechanisms underlying ASD in consanguineous populations.