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Study Links Cousin Marriages to 926 Child Deaths

2/13/2026

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Story summary
  • A University of Bristol study of 13,045 England child deaths from 2019–2023 shows 7% involved children born to closely related parents, accounting for 926 deaths.
  • The study finds 79% of these cases involve children from Asian backgrounds, particularly Pakistani.
  • Richard Holden, Conservative MP for North West Durham, proposed a bill to ban first cousin marriages.
  • Experts emphasize informed parental choices regarding genetic risks.