Genes and miscarriage

Miscarriage is the term given to the loss of a pregnancy before 28 weeks but most commonly refers to losses that occur in the first 12 weeks. Most embryos that miscarry have some type of physical abnormality and over half of these are caused by gains or losses of whole chromosomes. However, although these embryos have genetic abnormalities, in most cases the parents themselves are normal and the abnormalities are confined to the cells of the embryo. Occasionally one of the parents will carry a balanced chromosome rearrangement called a translocation or (rarely) an inversion. These abnormalities, which are picked up in a blood test, lead to recurrent genetic imbalances in the offspring (either miscarriages or liveborn children with abnormalities). Nevertheless, even in these couples, it is usually still possible for the parents to conceive a normal child.

There are a few genes that are known to increase the rate of miscarriage. These genes generally affect an important aspect of metabolism and may be involved in other complications of pregnancy. One of the genes is known as MTHFR or folate reductase gene. Women carrying this gene need a higher than usual intake of folic acid. A second gene is known as NOS or nitric oxide synthase - a gene which affects blood vessel structure and function and can lead to abnormal development of the embryonic blood vessels. Some practitioners claim that other genes which affect coagulation are involved in miscarriage. These genes may affect second or later pregnancy losses but they do not increase the rate of early miscarriages.

Is there a lifestyle cause?

Many aspects of lifestyle affect the rate of miscarriage and especially both maternal and paternal ageing. In younger women they usually occur where the woman's body is suffering from a serious biological and/or hormonal imbalance which themselves result from poor or unbalanced nutrition. Most pregnancy loss in younger women can be overcome by correcting diet and other negative lifestyle habits.

For specific advice visit the ez-fertility natural fertility resources and either answer the online lifestyle evaluation or read It takes two - reproducing naturally today.

Other topics:

• Blighted ovum

• Congenital abnormality

• Ectopic pregnancies

• Endometriosis

• Genes and infertility

• Lifestyle evaluation for a fertile lifestyle

• Male infertility

• Men aged 40 or older

• Miscarriage

• Monosomy

• Ovulation, Ovulation chart

• Polycystic ovarian syndrome

• Recurrent miscarriage

• Sexual aspects of fertility

• Stress and fertility

• Triploidy

• Trisomy

• Unexplained infertility

• Women aged 35 or older

 

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 Site revised and relaunched January 2010