CHROMOSOME TRANSLOCATIONS IN COUPLES WITH MULTIPLE SPONTANEOUS-ABORTIONS

Abstract

The reported incidence of balanced chromosomal translocations in couples with multiple spontaneous abortions (SAB) ranges from 0-31%. SAB appear useful for ascertaining balanced translocations, so the results of chromosome analyses are reported on blood specimens from 440 individuals including 200 couples who were ascertained on the basis of 2 or more SAB. Balanced translocations were found in 3.6% of these 200 couples. For 122 of these couples, more detailed reproductive histories were available. For 48 couples with 2 SAB, 4 (8.4%) had balanced translocations; for 37 couples with 3 SAB, 1 (2.7%) had a balanced translocation; for 20 couples with 4 SAB, 2 (10%) had balanced translocations; and for 17 couples with 5 or more SAB, 1 (5.9%) had a balanced translocation. These 122 couples could also be classified on the basis of having abnormal or healthy children. For 40 couples with 2 or more SAB, 1 or more healthy children, and no abnormal offspring, 2 (5.0%) had balanced translocations; for 20 couples with 2 or more SAB and 1 or more abnormal children (an in some cases 1 or more healthy children), 1 (5.0%) had a balanced translocation; for 62 couples with 2 or more SAB and no other pregnancies, 4 (6.5%) had balanced translocations.