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Abstract

Objectives: 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. Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusions: 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.

Publication Date

3-20-2025

First Page

114

Last Page

121

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

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