Objectives Consanguineous marriage is common in Jordan and the Middle East in general. The aim of this study is to see the effect of consanguinity on pregnancy outcome.

Patients and Methods Mothers in the postnatal ward were interviewed and a questionnaire was completed. They were asked whether their marriage was consanguineous or not. Data regarding number of pregnancies, abortions, stillbirth, intrauterine death, neonatal and infant deaths, multiple gestation and low birth weight babies were collected.

Results This study included 95 mothers of consanguineous marriage and 160 mothers of non-consanguineous marriage. There was a statistically signifant difference between the two groups regarding number of pregnancies, abortions, stillbirths, intrauterine fetal deaths, neonatal deaths, infant deaths, multiple gestations, and low birth weight babies. All were higher in consanguineous marriages.

Conclusion Consanguineous marriage has adverse effect on pregnancy outcome. Consanguinity should be included as a factor in high risk pregnancy. The obstetrician and neonatologist should be alerted to its significance.