Recurrent miscarriage

Recurrent miscarriage, defined as 3 or more miscarriages, affects 1% of couples. In many cases the underlying problem is the inability to sustain rather than to establish a pregnancy.

Initial investigations into the causes of recurrent miscarriage will typically involve karyotyping the parents in order to confirm whether there are any underlying chromosomal abnormalities which might be implicated. Such investigations often uncover a balanced translocation in one or both of the parents. Balanced translocations involve part of one chromosome moving from its expected location and attaching itself in a new location. There is no gain or loss of genetic material, so the parent is usually unaffected however these movements in location – literally translocation – can result in structural abnormalities in the eggs, sperm and the resulting embryos.

Depending upon the location of any expected abnormalities it is possible to screen for sub-chromosomal imbalances using 24sure+. These investigations involve a degree of work up and a good understanding of the cytogenetics of both parents.