Chromosomal abnormalities as a cause of recurrent abortions: a hospital experience.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the chromosomal abnormalities in couples with history of recurrent abortions. DESIGN Retrospective study. SETTING Cytogenetic section, Department of Pathology at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. PATIENTS Three hundred couples with history of recurrent abortions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Structural chromosomal abnormalities in carrier couples. RESULTS G-banded chromosomes were analyzed from both partners of 300 couples who had had two or more spontaneous abortions. Sixteen (5.3%) couples showed a chromosomal aberration in one of the partners. Seven translocations, 5 inversions, 2 deletions and 2 sex chromosomal abnormalities were identified. There was an increase in structural aberations, which was not significantly different from that reported worldwide. CONCLUSION Chromosomal analysis is advocated as a primary tool in the evaluation of couples with repetitive fetal wastage.