Chromosomal abnormalities as a cause of recurrent abortions: a hospital experience.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the chromosomal abnormalities in couples with history of recurrent abortions. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Cytogenetic section, Department of Pathology at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. PATIENTS: Three hundred couples with history of recurrent abortions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Structural chromosomal abnormalities in carrier couples. RESULTS: G-banded chromosomes were analyzed from both partners of 300 couples who had had two or more spontaneous abortions. Sixteen (5.3%) couples showed a chromosomal aberration in one of the partners. Seven translocations, 5 inversions, 2 deletions and 2 sex chromosomal abnormalities were identified. There was an increase in structural aberations, which was not significantly different from that reported worldwide. CONCLUSION: Chromosomal analysis is advocated as a primary tool in the evaluation of couples with repetitive fetal wastage.