photo of Lenore Goldfarb
recurrent miscarriage

References for: Causes, evaluation, and treatment.

Medscape Women’s Health 1998 May;3(3):2 (ISSN: 1521-2076) Bick RL; Madden J; Heller KB; Toofanian A

Thrombosis Clinical Center, Department of Medicine (Hematology & Oncology), Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, Tex., USA.

Impact and Implications of Chromosomal Abnormalities

Relevance of Family History

When a patient presents having had recurrent spontaneous abortions, a detailed family history should be obtained, including information about the partner’s family. The family history may provide a clue to the presence of a familial chromosome rearrangement. A history of any congenital anomaly, mental retardation, infertility, spontaneous abortion, or perinatal death is significant because each is characteristic of chromosomal anomaly (see Fig. 4).


Family pedigree showing typical features of familial chromosome rearrangement. In this family, husband had mentally retarded sister and brother whose wife suffered 2 spontaneous abortions. Family history is noteworthy, particularly in view of couple’s experience having spontaneous abortion and stillbirth with growth retardation. Blood chromosome study of both partners is necessary to rule out translocation or other chromosomal anomaly.

Figure 4. Family pedigree showing typical features of familial chromosome rearrangement. In this family, husband had mentally retarded sister and brother whose wife suffered 2 spontaneous abortions. Family history is noteworthy, particularly in view of couple’s experience having spontaneous abortion and stillbirth with growth retardation. Blood chromosome study of both partners is necessary to rule out translocation or other chromosomal anomaly.

print this page back


If you value this service, kindly consider a donation to the Canadian Breastfeeding Foundation (registered charity). Earmark the donation for the International Breastfeeding Centre (Newman Breastfeeding Clinic) and/or the Goldfarb Breastfeeding Program.

Donate online: canadahelps.org

Donate by mail: Canadian Breastfeeding Foundation, 5890 Monkland Ave, Suite 16, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H4A 1G2.


© 2002-2019 Lenore Goldfarb, PhD, CCC, IBCLC, ALC and contributing authors to AskLenore.info. All rights reserved.


Disclaimer: All material provided in asklenore.info is provided for educational purposes only. Consult your physician regarding the advisability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your individual situation.

top