Cytogenetic analysis of 688 couples experiencing multiple spontaneous abortions

Abstract
We report on cytogenetic analysis of 688 couples experiencing two or more first-and/or second-trimester abortions (<20 weeks). The overall abnormality rate was 6.83% (47 couples). However, exclusion of those anomalies not generally accepted as being causal in spontaneous abortion leaves an abnormality rate of only 2.33% (16 couples). We discuss the significance of balanced translations, inversions, sex chromosome aneuploidies, and mosaicisms thereof in the causation of multiple abortions.