Are heterochromatin polymorphisms associated with recurrent miscarriage?
OBJECTIVE
Recurrent miscarriage is a multifactorial problem associated with genetic abnormalities reflected by inherited disorders. The aim of the present study was to investigate the contribution of chromosomal abnormalities and the frequency of a particular type of aberration in couples of Turkish origin with recurrent miscarriages compared with patients without miscarriages.


METHODS
A total of 336 patients with recurrent miscarriages and 427 patients without miscarriages were analyzed.


RESULTS
In the recurrent miscarriage group, a structural chromosomal abnormality was found in four patients (1%). Twelve patients had mosaic karyotype (3%) and the total rate of chromosomal abnormalities was 4% in this group. The karyotypes were composed of polymorphisms in 8% of patients with recurrent miscarriages compared with 4% in the control group (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The overall high incidence of chromosome polymorphisms in patients with recurrent miscarriages compared to the normal population needs to be confirmed with additional investigations including larger populations in order to delineate the role of 'harmless' chromosomal aberrations in the etiology of recurrent spontaneous abortions.
Caglayan
Ahmet Okay
AO
Medical Genetics, Kayseri Education and Research Hospital, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey. okaycaglayan@yahoo.com
Ozyazgan
Isilay
I
Demiryilmaz
Fatma
F
Ozgun
Mahmut Tuncay
MT
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006570:Heterochromatin / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007621:Karyotyping; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011247:Pregnancy
D006570:Heterochromatin