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World J Obstet Gynecol. Dec 10, 2012; 1(4): 60-61
Published online Dec 10, 2012. doi: 10.5317/wjog.v1.i4.60
Ethnic disparities: Genetics vs (social) environment
Yves Jacquemyn
Yves Jacquemyn, Departement of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Antwerp University Hospital UZA, Wilrijkstraat, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
Author contributions: Jacquemyn Y solely contributed to this paper.
Correspondence to: Yves Jacquemyn, MD, PhD, Professor, Head, Departement of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Antwerp University Hospital UZA, Wilrijkstraat, 2650 Edegem, Belgium. yves.jacquemyn@uza.be
Telephone: +32-38-215945 Fax: +32-34-584774
Received: April 29, 2012
Revised: August 29, 2012
Accepted: September 12, 2012
Published online: December 10, 2012
Abstract

To define “ethnicity” in the context of perinatal care is a tough job. The word makes us think: “racial, social, cultural, national…”. An ethnic group is generally considered a group of people with a common history, usually (but not always) a common religion and language, sharing aspects of culture such as nutrition and traditions concerning pregnancy, childbirth, the way they care for children. As procreation occurs mostly in-group, every ethnic group will demonstrate a higher prevalence of, more or less well-known, genes and their connected diseases. For some populations, such as Ashkenazi Jewish people, the prevalence and associated risks of these autosomal diseases are well known, as in the case of “Jewish genetic disease”, and specific screening programs are available.

Keywords: Ethnicity, Perinatal care, Genetic disease, Tradition, Vitamin D