Does the number of previous miscarriages influence the incidence of chromosomal aberrations in spontaneous pregnancy loss?

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2017 Dec;30(24):2956-2960. doi: 10.1080/14767058.2016.1269317. Epub 2017 Jan 4.

Abstract

Objective: Chromosomal aberrations are a common cause for miscarriage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors that influence the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities in miscarriages and provide clinicians with a guideline for management of such cases.

Methods: The study included 170 women who experienced pregnancy loss between the 2004 and 2014. Cytogenetic analysis of products of conception (POC) was routinely performed.

Results: Successful cytogenetic analysis was achieved in 144 cases (84%). Of these, 78 cases (54%) had a chromosomal aberration. The incidence of chromosomal aberrations was not statistically significant among patients with 1, 2, 3, 4 or ≥5 previous miscarriages (33.3%, 57.4%, 48.6%, 65.2%, and 59.1%, respectively, p = 0.227). The F/M ratio was similar in normal and abnormal POC karyotypes (1.2:1 and 1.3:1, respectively, p = 0.7).

Conclusion: Contrary to previous assumptions we did not find correlation between number of previous spontaneous miscarriages a women experienced and chromosomal aberration in her current miscarriage.

Keywords: Recurrent miscarriage; abortion; karyotype; pregnancy loss.

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Habitual / epidemiology*
  • Abortion, Habitual / genetics*
  • Abortion, Spontaneous / epidemiology*
  • Abortion, Spontaneous / genetics*
  • Adult
  • Chromosome Aberrations / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cytogenetic Analysis
  • Female
  • Gravidity / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Karyotyping
  • Middle Aged
  • Pregnancy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Young Adult