European Journal of Public Health
Volume 16, Issue 3, 2006, Pages 290-293

Infant mortality, ethnicity, and genetically determined disorders in The Netherlands (Article) (Open Access)

Schulpen T.W.J.* , Van Wieringen J.C.M. , Van Brummen P.J. , Van Riel J.M. , Beemer F.A. , Westers P. , Huber J.
  • a Centre for Migration and Child Health, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Netherlands, Paediatric Association of the Netherlands, PO Box 20059, 3502 LB Utrecht, Netherlands
  • b Centre for Migration and Child Health, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Netherlands
  • c Centre for Migration and Child Health, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Netherlands
  • d Centre for Migration and Child Health, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Netherlands
  • e Department of Medical Genetics, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Netherlands
  • f Centre for Biostatistics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
  • g Department of Pathology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Netherlands

Abstract

Background: Infant mortality of ethnic minorities in The Netherlands (10% of the population) is twice as high as in the indigenous Dutch population. Causes of death are different for the diverse migrant groups. Methods: Hospital records of nearly 600 infants who died in the four major cities between 1995 and 1998 were analysed according to the cause of death, ethnicity, and possible hereditarity. Results: There was a four to five times higher proportion of hereditary causes of death in the Moroccan and Turkish population, compared with the Surinamese/Antillians and indigenous Dutch. Conclusions: This might be explained by a high inbreeding coefficient as three-quarters of the marriage partners are recruited from the home villages and between a quarter and a third of these marriages are between first cousins. Health promotion activities in The Netherlands have not been successful so far. Preconception genetic counselling might help in reducing these differences. © The Author 2005. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

consanguinity Infant mortality Ethnicity Genetics The Netherlands

Index Keywords

Netherlands maternal care health promotion human consanguineous marriage ethnic group Turkey (republic) priority journal ethnology marriage Suriname male preschool child female Infant medical record Article major clinical study migration Infant Mortality genetic counseling cause of death genetic disorder Morocco
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33745712882&doi=10.1093%2feurpub%2fcki201&partnerID=40&md5=0a3b3686549d33f16a155e67ea0bb866
DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cki201
ISSN: 11011262
Cited by: 20
Original Language: English