Cytogenetic study in couples with recurrent miscarriage

ABSTRACT

Recurrent miscarriage [RM] is a mysterious reproductive problem affecting a proportion of couples trying to conceive. Although spontaneous abortion occurs in approximately 15 to 20% of clinically diagnosed pregnancies of reproductive-aged women, recurrent miscarriage occurs in approximately 1 to 2% of these women. Many syndromes are involved in the aetiology of RM, where genetic factors appear to be highly associated. Indeed, chromosomal anomaly constitutes the single most common cause. About 7% of couples with RM have one partner with balanced chromosomal rearrangement. This study is a prospective study carried out to evaluate the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in couples suffering recurrent miscarriage. The present study included one hundred couples attending the antenatal clinic. They have been divided into two groups; the first, is a study group, included 50 couples with recurrent miscarriage. And the second, is a control group, included 50 couples with normal reproductive history. Conventional cytogenetic analysis was done for both groups. We have found four cases [8%] carrying chromosomal rearrangements [two reciprocal translocations, one Robertsonian translocation, and one with duplicated chromosome segment] among RM group, and no cases of chromosomal rearrangement among those with normal reproductive history. Statistically, there was a significant association between recurrent miscarriage and chromosomal rearrangement. We have concluded that chromosome analysis is highly important to evaluate such cases with RM