Chromosome errors as a cause of spontaneous abortion: the relative importance of maternal age and obstetric history.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the likelihood of obtaining a chromosome diagnosis in cases of spontaneous abortion (SAB) and of the relative importance of maternal age versus obstetric history in predicting the fetal karyotype.

DESIGN

Obstetric history was obtained from all 100 cases of miscarriage in 1 year when products of conception were sent for chromosome studies. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratio and statistical significance for correlations between historical factors and the probability of any chromosomal abnormality or trisomy.

RESULTS

A chromosome diagnosis was made in 84% of cases. Maternal age was a more important predictor of chromosome abnormality, specifically trisomy, than history of previous livebirths or miscarriages.

CONCLUSION

Results from chromosome studies using chorionic villi from SABs are diagnostically useful, even when the patient has a history of repeated miscarriages.