A recent study published by the National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) at the University of Bristol reveals alarming statistics regarding child mortality in England. The study focused on child deaths between 2019 and 2023 and found that one in 14 children who died had parents who are close blood relatives, indicating a higher incidence of mortality among children born to consanguineous parents. Specifically, 926 of the total 13,045 child deaths, or about 7%, were attributed to these family structures.

The findings suggest a significant overrepresentation of children with consanguineous parents in mortality statistics, raising urgent calls for action by health professionals and policymakers. Although the exact prevalence of consanguinity among the broader population in England remains unclear, previous studies, such as one from Bradford, indicate that familial intermarriage is notably high in specific communities, particularly among the city's Pakistani population, where one in six children are born to first cousins.

Given these trends, experts stress the need for targeted interventions to address the health risks associated with consanguinity, including genetic counseling and public health awareness campaigns. The study highlights a crucial intersection of public health, genetic risk, and social practices that could significantly impact child mortality rates and overall family health in England.