Ultrasound assessment of residual gastric volume in older adults undergoing staged-bilateral total knee arthroplasty after consuming carbohydrate-containing fluids: a prospective observational study / 대한마취과학회지

Background@#We compared preoperative residual gastric volume (GV) between the first and second stages of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in older adults after drinking carbohydrate-containing fluid 2 h prior to surgery. @*Methods@#In this study, 36 patients, aged > 65 years, scheduled for staged bilateral TKA with one-week interval, were enrolled. The patients consumed 400 ml of carbohydrate-containing fluid 2 h prior to surgery. Before the induction of spinal anesthesia, the gastric antral cross-sectional area was measured at the first and second TKA using ultrasound, and the residual GV was calculated. The primary outcome was the residual GV. Qualitative GV (grades 0, 1, and 2) and analgesic consumption after the first TKA were assessed as secondary outcomes. @*Results@#The GV (median [Q1, Q3]) was greater in the second-stage TKA (41.1 [22.5, 62.8] ml) than in the first-stage TKA (10.3 [0.0, 27.1] ml) (P < 0.001). In the qualitative assessment, the distribution was not different between the two stages of TKA (P = 0.219) and only one patient showed grade 2 gastric content in the second TKA. When opioid consumption was converted to an equivalent dose of morphine, an average of 53.9 mg of morphine was required after the first TKA. @*Conclusions@#Residual GV after drinking carbohydrate-containing fluid differed according to the stage of TKA, showing a larger residual GV in the second TKA than in the first one. In older adults scheduled to undergo bilateral staged TKA, caution is required in preoperative fasting practice, especially in second-stage surgery.

Genetic Counseling Status and Perspectives Based on a 2018 Professional Survey in Korea

BACKGROUND: Genetic counseling (GC) provides many benefits, including the identification of patients appropriate for testing, patient education, and medical management. We evaluated the current status of and challenges faced by GC practitioners in Korean hospitals.METHODS: An electronic survey was designed and conducted in 52 certified laboratory physicians belonging to the Korean Society of Laboratory Medicine, from August to September 2018. The questionnaires addressed three main categories of information: (1) current status of GC in hospitals; (2) essential qualifications of GC practitioners; and (3) challenges and perspectives for GC. Fisher's exact test was applied to analyze categorical data.RESULTS: Among a total of 52 participants who initially responded, 12 (23.1%) were performing GC either by direct or indirect care. GC clinics were opened regularly for one (33.3%) or more than three sessions (25.0%) per week; most respondents spent more time for pre-visit activities than in-person visits, both for a initial visit patient and for a follow-up visit patient. All laboratory physicians provided genetic information to their patients. Most recommended family genetic testing when indicated (91.7%), discussed disease management (75.0%), and/or ordered additional genetic testing (58.3%), and some referred patients to other specialists (8.3%).CONCLUSIONS: Both patients and laboratory physicians concede the advantage of GC performed by clinical geneticists; however, the practice of GC involves several challenges and raises some concerns. The cost and support required to implement GC need to be addressed in order to provide qualified GC in Korea.

Prevalence of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Seoul, Korea

The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) is increasing globally. However, a few studies have addressed their epidemiology in Seoul, Korea. In this study, we conducted one-year surveillance of CRE among 1,468 clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae at the hospital in Seoul with molecular characterization of carbapenemase genes. About 85% of CRE-positive samples were isolated from the elderly age group (above 60 years). The most common isolated organisms were Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) (56.5%) and Escherichia coli (E.coli) (17.0%). We detected six different Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) of blaKPC, blaNDM, blaOXA, blaVIM, blaIMP, and blaGES alone or in combination with other bla genes. Typically, 853 (58.1%) isolates were tested positive for at least one CPE. KPC (K. pneumoniae carbapenemase)-2 was the most common CPE type (46.0%) followed by NDM (New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase)-1 (5.9%). KPC-2 was most commonly found in K. pneumoniae (494/676 isolates [73.1%]) and E.coli (107/676 isolates [15.8%]), whereas NDM-1 was commonly found in Enterobacter cloacae complex (20/86 isolates [23.3%]). Detailed information and molecular characteristics of CPE is essential to prevent the spread of these pathogens.

First Korean case of factor V Leiden mutation in pregnant woman with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss

Thrombophilia refers to inherited or acquired hemostatic disorders that result in a predisposition to blood clot formation. When combined with the hypercoagulable state that is characteristic of pregnancy, there is an increased risk of severe and recurrent pregnancy complications. Activated protein C resistance caused by factor V Leiden (FVL) mutation is known to be the most common cause of inherited thrombophilia in Caucasian population. FVL mutation has been related to pregnancy complications associated with hypercoagulation, e.g. miscarriage, intrauterine fetal demise, placental abruption, and intrauterine growth retardation. Although the FVL mutation is easily detected using molecular DNA techniques, patients who are heterozygous for this disorder often remain asymptomatic until they develop a concurrent prothrombotic condition. Because there are potentially serious effects of FVL mutation for pregnancy, and because effective treatment strategies exist, early detection and treatment of this condition might be considered.

Epidemiology of Legionella and Climatic Variables in Seoul, Korea

Legionella species are abundant in the built environment and are increasingly recognized as a cause of Legionnaires' disease (LD). As the number of cases of Legionnaires' disease acquired by local communities in the Seoul metropolitan area in Korea has been increased, there was concern that changes in environmental factors could affect disease outbreaks. We described the association between climatic variables and occurrence of legionellosis in Korea and Legionella detection rate in Seoul area. A total of 418 cases of legionellosis were reported between 2014 and 2017. There was a seasonal peak in summer. LD continuously occurred from early spring to winter every year and rapidly increased in summer. In the regression analysis, the primary variables of interest- PM2.5 (µg/m³), NO₂ (ppb), and a number of the date of issue O₃ warning were not significant except for average temperature (R²=0.8075). The Legionella detection rate in Seoul, Korea showed a trend similar to precipitation (P=0.708, ANOVA). A relatively high proportion of Legionella detection rate was shown, especially cooling tower (17.7%) and public bath (19.3%). This finding is in line with current understanding of the ecological profile of this pathogen and supports the assertion that legionellosis occurs through contamination of water sources.

Molecular Characterization of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in Foodborne Outbreak

Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a main cause of diarrhea worldwide. This study reports the investigation on the occurrence of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) serotype O27:H7-associated foodborne gastrointestinal disease that occurred at two schools, one middle school and one high school, in Seoul, Korea in June 2015. The immediate government investigation in 1,216 students and 19 food handlers in these two schools revealed that 116 students, 32 students in the middle school and 84 students in the high school, and 2 food handlers, one from middle school and the other from high school, developed gastrointestinal illness symptoms including diarrhea. Following lab investigation identified 29 ETEC serotype O27:H7 strains, 27 from 116 students and 2 from 19 food handlers. Pattern of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis of ETEC isolates suggested that ETEC serotype O27:H7 caused the diarrheal outbreak in June 2015 in Seoul, Korea was a specific clone. In addition, these ETEC serotype O27:H7 isolates were highly resistance to the several antibiotics. The results from the present study provide the evidence that ETEC serotype O27:H7 can be an important cause of domestic foodborne outbreak in Korea.

Genetic Screening for Chromosomal Abnormalities and Y Chromosome Microdeletions in 846 Infertile Korean Men

BACKGROUND: Chromosomal abnormalities are confirmed as one of the frequent causes of male infertility. The microdeletion of the azoospermia factor (AZF) region in the Y chromosome was discovered as another frequent genetic cause associated with male infertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and type of chromosomal abnormalities and Y chromosome microdeletions in Korean infertile men. METHODS: A total of 846 infertile men with azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia were included for genetic screening. Cytogenetic analyses using G-banding and screening for Y chromosome microdeletions by multiplex PCR for AZF genes were performed. RESULTS: Chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 112 infertile men (13.2%). Of these, Klinefelter's syndrome was the most common (55.4%, 62/112), followed by balanced translocation including translocation between sex chromosome and autosome (14.3%), Yq deletion (13.4%), X/XY mosaicism with Yq deletion (12.5%), and XX male (4.5%). The overall prevalence of Y chromosome microdeletions was 9.2% (78/846). Most microdeletions were in the AZFc region (51.3%) with a low incidence in AZFa (7.7 %) and AZFb (6.4 %). Combined deletions involving the AZFbc and AZFabc regions were detected in 26.9 % and 7.7 % of men, respectively. Among the infertile men with Y chromosome microdeletions, the incidence of chromosomal abnormality was 25.6% (20/78). CONCLUSIONS: There was a high incidence (20.1%) of chromosomal abnormalities and Y chromosome microdeletions in Korean infertile men. These findings strongly suggest that genetic screening for chromosomal abnormalities and Y chromosome microdeletions should be performed, and genetic counseling should be provided before starting assisted reproductive techniques.

Effect of dual-type oligosaccharides on constipation in loperamide-treated rats

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Constipation is a condition that can result from intestinal deformation. Because humans have an upright posture, the effects of gravity can cause this shape deformation. Oligosaccharides are common prebiotics and their effects on bowel health are well known. However, studies of the physiological functionality of a product that contains both lactulose and galactooligosaccharides are insufficient. We investigated the constipation reduction effect of a dual-type oligosaccharide, Dual-Oligo, in loperamide-treated rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: Dual-Oligo consists of galactooligosaccharides (15.80%) and lactulose (51.67%). Animals were randomly divided into four groups, the normal group (normal), control group (control), low concentration of Dual-Oligo (LDO) group, and high concentration of Dual-Oligo (HDO) group. After 7 days of oral administration, fecal pellet amount, fecal weight, water content of fecal were measured. Blood chemistry, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), gastrointestinal transit ratio and length and intestinal mucosa were analyzed. RESULTS: Dual-Oligo increased the fecal weight, and water content of feces in rats with loperamide-induced constipation. Gastrointestinal transit ratio and length and area of intestinal mucosa significantly increased after treatment with Dual-Oligo in loperamide-induced rats. A high concentration of Dual-Oligo tended to produce more acetic acid than that observed for the control group, and Dual-Oligo affected the production of total SCFA. Bifidobacteria concentration of cecal contents in the high-concentration oligosaccharide (HDO) and low-concentration oligosaccharide (LDO) groups was similar to the result of the normal group. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that Dual-Oligo is a functional material that is derived from a natural food product and is effective in ameliorating constipation.

Noninvasive prenatal test for fetal chromosomal aneuploidies by massively parallel sequencing of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma: The first clinical experience in Korea

PURPOSE: Noninvasive prenatal test (NIPT) by massively parallel sequencing (MPS) of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma marks a significant advancement in prenatal screening, minimizing the need for invasive testing of fetal chromosomal aneuploidies. Here, we report the initial clinical performance of NIPT in Korean pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MPS-based NIPT was performed on 910 cases; 5 mL blood samples were collected and sequenced in the Shenzhen BGI Genomic Laboratory to identify aneuploidies. The risk of fetal aneuploidy was determined by L-score and t-score, and classified as high or low. The NIPT results were validated by karyotyping for the high-risk cases and neonatal follow-up for low-risk cases. RESULTS: NIPT was mainly requested for two clinical indications: abnormal biochemical serum-screening result (54.3%) and advanced maternal age (31.4%). Among 494 cases with abnormal biochemical serum-screening results, NIPT detected only 9 (1.8%) high-risk cases. Sixteen cases (1.8%) of 910 had a high risk for aneuploidy: 8 for trisomy 21, 2 for trisomy 18, 1 for trisomy 13, and 5 for sex chromosome abnormalities. Amniocentesis was performed for 7 of these cases (43.8%). In the karyotyping and neonatal data, no false positive or negative results were observed in our study. CONCLUSION: MPS-based NIPT detects fetal chromosomal aneuploidies with high accuracy. Introduction of NIPT as into clinical settings could prevent about 98% of unnecessary invasive diagnostic procedures.

Noninvasive fetal RHD genotyping using cell-free fetal DNA incorporating fetal RASSF1A marker in RhD-negative pregnant women in Korea

PURPOSE: Conventional methods for the prenatal detection of fetal RhD status involve invasive procedures such as fetal blood sampling and amniocentesis. The identification of cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) in maternal plasma creates the possibility of determining fetal RhD status by analyzing maternal plasma DNA. However, some technical problems still exist, especially the lack of a positive control marker for the presence of fetal DNA. Therefore, we assessed the feasibility and accuracy of fetal RHD genotyping incorporating the RASSF1A epigenetic fetal DNA marker from cffDNA in the maternal plasma of RhD-negative pregnant women in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed maternal plasma from 41 pregnant women identified as RhD-negative by serological testing. Multiplex real-time PCR was performed by amplifying RHD exons 5 and 7 and the SRY gene, with RASSF1A being used as a gender-independent fetal epigenetic marker. The results were compared with those obtained by postnatal serological analysis of cord blood and gender identification. RESULTS: Among the 41 fetuses, 37 were RhD-positive and 4 were RhD-negative according to the serological analysis of cord blood. There was 100% concordance between fetal RHD genotyping and serological cord blood results. Detection of the RASSF1A gene verified the presence of cffDNA, and the fetal SRY status was correctly detected in all 41 cases. CONCLUSION: Noninvasive fetal RHD genotyping with cffDNA incorporating RASSF1A is a feasible, reliable, and accurate method of determining fetal RhD status. It is an alternative to amniocentesis for the management of RhD-negative women and reduces the need for unnecessary RhIG prophylaxis.

Clinical and Molecular Delineation of a Novel De Novo 4q28.3-31.21 Interstitial Deletion in a Patient with Developmental Delay

No abstract available.

Carrier frequency of SLC26A4 mutations causing inherited deafness in the Korean population

PURPOSE: The mutation of the SLC26A4 gene is the second most common cause of congenital hearing loss after GJB2 mutations. It has been identified as a major cause of autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing loss associated with enlarged vestibular aqueduct and Pendred syndrome. Although most studies of SLC26A4 mutations have dealt with hearing-impaired patients, there are a few reports on the frequency of these mutations in the general population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of SLC26A4 mutations that cause inherited deafness in the general Korean population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We obtained blood samples from 144 Korean individuals with normal hearing. The samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction to amplify the entire coding region of the SLC26A4 gene, followed by direct DNA sequencing. RESULTS: Sequencing analysis of this gene identified 5 different variants (c.147C>G, c.225G>C, c.1723A>G, c.2168A>G, and c.2283A>G). The pathogenic mutation c.2168A>G (p.H723R) was identified in 1.39% (2/144) of the subjects with normal hearing. CONCLUSION: These data provide information about carrier frequency for SLC26A4 mutation-associated hearing loss and have important implications for genetic diagnostic testing for inherited deafness in the Korean population.

Chemoprevention of Colorectal Cancer in Inflammatory Bowel Disease / 대한소화기학회지

The risk of developing colorectal cancer is increased in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Surveillance colonoscopy has not been shown to prolong survival and rates of interval cancer are reported to be high. Continuing colonic inflammation has been shown to be important in the development of colorectal cancer and therefore anti-inflammatory agents such as the 5-aminosalicylates and immunomodulators have been considered as potential chemopreventive agents. This review focuses on various chemopreventive agents that have been clearly shown to reduce the risk of colorectal adenoma and cancer in the patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Discrepant Results for BRAF V600E Mutation Among Different Specimens in a Case of Hairy Cell Leukemia

No abstract available.

Isoflurane decreases apoptosis of human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiac progenitor cell under oxidative stress

BACKGROUND: Despite the great potential of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) in the cardiac cell transplantation, the low graft survival still remains as one of the main obstacles in the way to its clinical application. We investigated whether pre-treatment with isoflurane can decrease apoptosis of hESC-derived CPCs under oxidative stress. METHODS: Undifferentiated hESCs were differentiated in suspension media with 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 20 ng/ml of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-4 through embryoid bodies and grown onto Matrigel-coated plates for 2 or 3 weeks. To identify the differentiated CPCs, immunostaining for nonspecific transcriptional marker (Nkx2.5) was performed. The CPCs were exposed to oxidative stress induced by Fenton reaction with H2O2 and FeSO4. For anesthetic preconditioning, CPCs were exposed to isoflurane (5 vol%) in an isolated chamber. Apoptosis of CPCs was determined by TUNEL staining and detection of activated caspase-3 cell. RESULTS: hESC-derived CPCs stained with Nkx2.5 were 95 +/- 3% of total cell number. Concentration of isoflurane in the media was 1.1 mM (2.2 MAC). Pretreatment of CPCs with isoflurane showed a significantly lower TUNEL (+) ratio as well as activated caspase-3 cell number compared to control. CONCLUSIONS: Isoflurane decreased hESC-derived Nkx2.5+ CPCs apoptosis induced by oxidative stress. This result suggests that anti-apoptotic effect may play a role in the protective effect of isoflurane.

Prenatal Population Screening for Fragile X Carrier and the Prevalence of Premutation Carriers in Korea

PURPOSE: Fragile X carrier detection before or at early pregnancy through a wide screening program may not only confer a risk of having offspring with Fragile X syndrome (FXS), but may also confer a risk for Fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency and Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome. However, prior to the implementation of such a program, the carrier prevalence in a population and the availability of effective screening test should be evaluated. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of premutation carriers and to evaluate the feasibility of screening test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The blood samples were obtained from 8,641 pregnant women with no family history of mental retardation. We performed a three-primer CGG repeat primed (RP) PCR using the AmplideX(TM) FMR1 PCR kit (Asuragen, Inc. Austin, TX, USA). Samples showing full mutation alleles were reflexed to Southern blot analysis for methylation status and sizing. RESULTS: Among the 8,641 women, we found 8 premutation carriers (1:1,090, 0.09%) and 46 women with an intermediate allele (1:190, 0.53%). No woman was found to carry the fully mutated allele. All the detected alleles were within the CGG repeat range of 8-117. Among the 8,641 samples, 29 and 30 CGG repeats represent 66.6% of all cases. The CGG RP PCR method provides robust detection of expanded alleles and resolves allele zygosity, thus minimizing the number of samples that require Southern blot analysis. CONCLUSION: This is the first study that has focused on the prevalence of FXS premutation carriers and FMR1 allele distribution in normal pregnant women. These data have important implications for population-based fragile X carrier screening in Korea.

Prenatal Population Screening for Fragile X Carrier and the Prevalence of Premutation Carriers in Korea

PURPOSE: Fragile X carrier detection before or at early pregnancy through a wide screening program may not only confer a risk of having offspring with Fragile X syndrome (FXS), but may also confer a risk for Fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency and Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome. However, prior to the implementation of such a program, the carrier prevalence in a population and the availability of effective screening test should be evaluated. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of premutation carriers and to evaluate the feasibility of screening test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The blood samples were obtained from 8,641 pregnant women with no family history of mental retardation. We performed a three-primer CGG repeat primed (RP) PCR using the AmplideX(TM) FMR1 PCR kit (Asuragen, Inc. Austin, TX, USA). Samples showing full mutation alleles were reflexed to Southern blot analysis for methylation status and sizing. RESULTS: Among the 8,641 women, we found 8 premutation carriers (1:1,090, 0.09%) and 46 women with an intermediate allele (1:190, 0.53%). No woman was found to carry the fully mutated allele. All the detected alleles were within the CGG repeat range of 8-117. Among the 8,641 samples, 29 and 30 CGG repeats represent 66.6% of all cases. The CGG RP PCR method provides robust detection of expanded alleles and resolves allele zygosity, thus minimizing the number of samples that require Southern blot analysis. CONCLUSION: This is the first study that has focused on the prevalence of FXS premutation carriers and FMR1 allele distribution in normal pregnant women. These data have important implications for population-based fragile X carrier screening in Korea.

The effect of tracheal tube size on air leak around the cuffs / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: This randomized single-blinded, cross-over study was done to evaluate the influence of the size of tracheal tubes on air leaks around the cuffs. METHODS: In a benchtop model, the number of longitudinal folds on the cuffs was evaluated for different sizes of tracheal tubes. In an anesthetized patient study, thirty patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia were included. After induction of anesthesia, the trachea was intubated with two sizes of tracheal tubes in a random sequence: in men, internal diameter of 7.5 mm and 8.0 mm; in women, internal diameter of 7.0 mm and 7.5 mm. After tracheal intubation with each tube, air leak pressures were evaluated at intracuff pressures of 20, 25 and 30 cmH2O by auscultation. To calculate the tracheal tube resistance (R), an inspiratory pause of 20% was applied and the resulting peak airway pressure (Ppeak), plateau pressure (Ppl) and mean expiratory tidal volume (Flow) were inserted in the formula R = (Ppeak - Ppl)/Flow. RESULTS: More longitudinal folds of the tracheal tube cuffs occurred in larger sized tubes compared to the smaller ones in a benchtop model. Air leakage was significantly less for the smaller tracheal tubes than for the larger ones for each gender at intracuff pressures of 20, 25 and 30 cmH2O. Tracheal tube resistances were not significantly altered by the size of tracheal tube. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a smaller tracheal tube within an acceptable size can reduce air leakage around the cuff without significantly changing the tracheal tube resistance.

Noninvasive Prenatal Diagnosis using Cell-Free Fetal DNA in Maternal Plasma: Clinical Applications

Owing to the risk of fetal loss associated with prenatal diagnostic procedures (amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling), noninvasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) is ultimate goal of prenatal diagnosis. The discovery of circulating cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) in maternal plasma in 1997 has opened up new probabilities for NIPD by Dr. Lo et al. The last decade has seen great development in NIPD. Fetal sex and fetal RhD status determination by cffDNA analysis is already in clinical use in certain countries. For routine use, this test is limited by the amount of cell-free maternal DNA in blood sample, the lack of universal fetal markers, and appropriate reference materials. To improve the accuracy of detection of fetal specific sequences in maternal plasma, internal positive controls to confirm to presence of fetal DNA should be analyzed. We have developed strategies for noninvasive determination of fetal gender, and fetal RhD genotyping using cffDNA in maternal plasma, using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) including RASSF1A epigenetic fetal DNA marker (gender-independent) as internal positive controls, which is to be first successful study of this kind in Korea. In our study, accurate detection of fetal gender through gestational age, and fetal RhD genotyping in RhD-negative pregnant women was achieved. In this assay, we show that the assay is sensitive, easy, fast, and reliable. These developments improve the reliability of the applications of circulating fetal DNA when used in clinical practice to manage sex-linked disorders (e.g., hemophilia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy), congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), RhD incompatibility, and the other noninvasive pregnant diagnostic tests on the coming soon. The study was the first successful case in Korea using cffDNA in maternal plasma, which has created a new avenue for clinical applications of NIPD.

Incidence and Spectrum of Chromosomal Abnormalities associated with Spontaneous Abortions in Korea: 470 Products of Conception over a Period of 6 Years (2005-2010)

PURPOSE: Cytogenetic analysis of spontaneous abortions (SABs) provides valuable information to establish the causes of fetal loss, information that is essential to provide accurate reproductive and genetic counseling couples. Such analysis also provides information on the frequencies and types of chromosomal abnormalities and associated risks of recurrence. However, there have only been a few reports of chromosomal abnormalities in small samples of SABs in the Korean population. Here, we report the incidence and spectrum of chromosomal abnormalities for cases of 470 SAB in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2005 and 2010, a total of 470 products of conception (POC) resulting from SABs were submitted to our laboratory for cytogenetic analysis from various medical sites in Korea. The incidences and types of specific chromosomal abnormalities were determined. The abnormalities were distinguished by gestational age at the time of SAB and by maternal age. RESULTS: The frequency of chromosomal abnormalities in POCs was 54.3% (255/470), including 228 (89.3%) numerical and 27 (10.7%: 3 balanced and 24 unbalanced) structural abnormalities. Among the numerical abnormalities, trisomy was predominant (67.0%), followed by monosomy X (12.5%), polyploidy (8.2%), triple X (0.8%), and autosomal monosomy (0.8%). The overall sex ratio (male: female) among the 470 POCs with normal and abnormal karyotypes were 0.58 and 0.65, respectively. Trisomies were identified for each autosome, with the exceptions of 1, 3, and 19. Among the 171 autosomal trisomies, trisomy 16 was the most common (19.9%), followed by trisomy 22 (13.5%), trisomy 21 (12.3%), trisomy 15 (9.9%), and trisomies 18 and 13 (5.3%). The frequency of chromosomal abnormalities decreased with gestational age and increased with maternal age, but only because of increases in trisomies and complex abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: We have presented a large collection of cytogenetic data for SABs collected during the past 6 years and provided a database for prenatal genetic counseling of parents who have experienced SABs in Korea.