Consanguinity and demography in some Chilean populations.

Spatial and temporal changes in the rates and the patterns of consanguinity are studied in some (indigenous as well as admixed) populations of Chile. Relationship between the variation of infant mortality and late fetal death rates with the degree of inbreeding is also explored. The need of a temporal study of these demographic variables is also emphasized to elucidate the influence of marriage structure or determined reproductive patterns on the genetic and demographic aspects within these populations.