[Chromosome Anomalies in cases of habitual Abortions (author's transl)]

Chromosome examinations in the case of 78 married couples with recurrent abortions are discussed. The analyses were based on 141 caryogrammes--78 women, 63 men. Inheritied chromosome anomalies as cause of the recurrent abortions could be ascertained with 7 patients (5%): 4 autosomal anomalies in the form of balanced translocations; 1 gonosomal anomaly occurring as X-trisomy with deletion of the short arms of an X-chromosome; 2 cases of striking fragility of the chromosome no. 2. The significance of such chromosome anomalies in women and recurrent miscarriages is discussed. Cytogenetic and histological examinations of the aborted product of conception can give valuable indications for the detection of a chromosome anomaly in the parents. The prognosis and consequences of parental chromosome anomaly and the necessity of prenatal chromosome analyses are discussed.