Structural chromosome rearrangements in couples with recurrent fetal wastage.
OBJECTIVE
A review of the cytogenetic data in 1743 couples (3486 patients) with recurrent fetal wastage (RFW) who were examined for RFW at the Leuven Centre for Human Genetics in the period 1986-1995. These results were compared with a previous study in the period 1970-1985.


METHODS
Patients who had at least two first trimester miscarriages or patients who had a spontaneous first trimester abortion, preceded or followed by a second or third trimester fetal death.


RESULTS
Chromosomal rearrangements were found in 5.34%. Two-thirds of these chromosomal rearrangements were autosomal balanced translocations. This finding is a 30-fold increase compared to the general population. Other chromosomal abnormalities included Robertsonian translocations, inversions and sex-chromosomal abnormalities.


CONCLUSIONS
The Leuven experience was compared with several other studies. Mechanisms causing these chromosomal abnormalities are presented.


CONCLUSIONS
Chromosomal analyses are an important and necessary part of the etiological investigations in couples with RFW.
Fryns
J P
JP
Centre for Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Belgium.
Van Buggenhout
G
G
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000209:etiology*; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014178:Translocation, Genetic