Shami S A, Ambreen Fatima Malik, Samina Jalali.
Close relative marriages and genetic epidemiology of leukemia.
Ann Pak Inst Med Sci Jan ;1(3):124-7.

Background: Leukemias are characterized by various cytogenetic and molecular lesions. However, genetic etiology is not clearly defined. Objective: To get a baseline information about leukemia at family level regarding genetic influence in inheritance and close relative marriages. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted from June 1998 to April 2000 at AFIP Rawalpindi, RGH Rawalpindi and PIMS Islamabad. Subjects and Methods: Demographic and clinical data of all patients was recorded. Pedigrees were drawn upto three or more generations. History of leukemia and other malignancies in the family was recorded. Results: In a total of 1,000 cases, 619 were males. Maximum number of patients of leukemia was found to be in the first order of birth. The highest number of cases came from first cousin unions (76.6%). A high percentage (87.5%) of cases manifested sporadic occurrence of the disease. Conclusion: Both biological and non-biological factors are related to epidemiology of leukemia.

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