Cytogenetic study in cases with recurrent abortion in Saudi Arabia

Background: A proportion of cases with repeated abortion are caused by chro mosomal abnormality in one of the parents. Several studies have been done t o determine the role of chromosomal abnormalities in couples with repeated fetal loss in various countries. None of these studies was done in the Arab Peninsula. Material and Methods: Cytogenetic study was done for 193 consecutive Saudi couples who presented with repeated abortion at the King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Results: We found that the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities was not s ignificantly different from that reported worldwide. The nature of those ab normalities and their relation to the obstetric history of cases were discu ssed. Conclusion: This study should help physicians working in the region to real ize the contribution of chromosomal abnormalities to cases of repeated feta l loss. It should also help in setting priorities of cytogenetic screening in individual cases.