Large Y chromosome (Yq+) and increased risk of abortion

Abstract

Previous reports have indicated an association between Yq+ in the family and increased risk of abortion. In a chromosome investigations of 11,148 consecutively newborn children, we found 58 boys with a large Y chromosome (Y/F equal to or greater than 1.00). The mothers of these boys had 22% abortions, compared with 13% among 4,895 mothers of children with normal karyotypes and without Yq+ (P less than 0.001).