ABSTRACT
Despite medical advances, miscarriage is the most common complication observed during the first trimester of pregnancy, with approximately 15%–25% of clinically recognized pregnancies lost. The primary cause of early pregnancy loss is the presence of a chromosomal abnormality that is incompatible with life; these are found in up to 50% of first trimester losses [1]. However, miscarriage and perinatal loss is an etiologically heterogeneous condition for which the causes are difficult to elucidate. In fact, 25%–50% of all miscarriages reported remain unexplained. Well-established causes include paternal or de novo chromosomal aberrations [2], antiphospholipid syndrome [3], some inherited thrombophilias, such as Factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A gene mutation [4,5], congenital or acquired uterine anomalies [6], and endocrine, autoimmune, or alloimmune disturbances [7] as well as unhealthy lifestyle habits (e.g., smoking, obesity, or psychological stress) [8,9]. Thus, recurrent miscarriage can result from many factors. Once uterine malformations, endocrinology pathologies, and antiphospholipid syndrome have been ruled out, parental karyotype assessment should be considered, especially if some of the miscarriages suffered by the couple were karyotypically abnormal [10].
