Reproductive outcome of a case with familial balanced translocation t(3;6): implications for genetic counseling

Although it is known that parental carriers of structural chromosomal rearrangements are associated with recurrent pregnancy loss, subsequent natural pregnancies remain possible. We examined the reproductive outcome of a familial balanced translocation with t(3;6)(q12;q27). Karyotyping of the proband revealed 46,XY chromosomes with the balanced translocation t(3;6). The first 2 pregnancies resulted in spontaneous abortions. Based on the proband karyotype, his father and half-brother were subjected to cytogenetic analysis, and both showed 46,XY, t(3;6)(q12;q27). After genetic counseling, the proband chose to continue the pregnancy. During the third pregnancy, the subject gave birth to a normal male infant. For parental carriers with balanced chromosomal translocations, natural pregnancy should be considered during genetic counseling.