Chromosome analysis in couples with recurrent abortions

Chromosome analysis using a G-Banding technique was performed in 35 couples (70 individuals) with a history of two or more spontaneous abortions of unknown cause. Among these individuals, 5 (7%) showed balanced translocations, all of whom were female. The outcome of 31 pregnancies of 10 balanced translocation carriers was as follows: Ten of the offspring had normal phenotypes (32%), 5 (16%) were born with chromosomal abnormalities and 16 (52%) were spontaneously aborted.