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Everything you need to know about Miscarriages

Team AckoFeb 8, 2024

Miscarriage is the loss of pregnancy that happens before 20 weeks of pregnancy. One of the causes resulting in a miscarriage is chromosomal abnormalities. It can cause miscarriage and stillbirth. About 50% of the miscarriages occur due to chromosomal abnormalities.

Contents

Genes and Chromosomes
Causes of Miscarriage
- Chromosomal abnormalities & its types
- OTHER CAUSES

Before we understand the link between chromosomal abnormality and miscarriage, let's first understand genes and chromosomes.

Genes and Chromosomes

Chromosomes are very vital because they contain genes. It is genes that determine a person’s physical characteristics, what will be the blood type and how prone he/she is to certain diseases.

Each cell has 23 pairs of chromosomes or 46 in total. In each chromosome there are 20,000 to 25,000 genes. Half of the chromosomes comes from the egg of mother and half comes from the sperm of father. Of the 23 pairs, 22 pairs are called autosomes while the last two are called allosomes. It’s the allosomes, also called the sex chromosomes which will determine a person’s sex and sexual characteristics. A male has an X and Y chromosome while a female has two X chromosomes.

If the growing foetus has incorrect number of chromosomes, structurally flawed chromosomes or wrong amount of DNA within a chromosome, chromosomal abnormality exists. This can cause miscarriage, still birth, birth defects, Downs Syndrome.

Causes of Miscarriage

Below mentioned are the plausible causes of miscarriage due to chromosomal abnormalities:

Chromosomal abnormalities & its types

Fetal chromosomal abnormalities

Here, miscarriage can happen due to chromosomal abnormality in foetus. If the baby has a missing chromosome or an extra one, it can cause miscarriage or birth defects in the baby. If a couple’s pregnancy has been affected by chromosomal abnormality then the future pregnancies can be affected by the same risk again. Your doctor may offer a medical procedure, amniocentesis wherein any chromosomal abnormalities and fetal infections are detected.

Inherited chromosomal rearrangements

Here, chromosomes are rearranged and structured differently of a parent. The parent does not have any health issues as the chromosomes are balanced even if they are rearranged. By balanced, means no missing or extra piece of the chromosome. But the baby can inherit the extra or missing piece of a chromosome. This can cause birth defects, learning disabilities in the newborn or a miscarriage.

Gene Mutation

If there is any change (mutation) in one or more genes on the chromosomes, it can cause certain genetic diseases or birth defects. A sonogram during pregnancy may detect the birth defects. This gene mutation can also cause pregnancy loss.

OTHER CAUSES

Health condition of would-be mother

Maternal health issues can cause miscarriage. Abnormally shaped uterus, hormonal imbalance, lupus, uncontrolled diabetes, kidney and heart ailments, hypertension can hinder carrying pregnancy to full term. With the help of blood tests, ultrasound, the doctor can find the culprit that caused pregnancy loss.

Environment

Exposure to high radiation, infections, drugs, alcohol, smoking can result in miscarriage.

If there are chromosomal abnormalities, it will prevent the normal development of the embryo. When this occurs, the immune system will respond by immediately ending the pregnancy causing miscarriage.

So, can suffering miscarriage mean you can never have a baby in your lifetime. The answer is NO!

Inspite of suffering a miscarriage, your hope to having a child in future is not lost. Speak to your doctor and get yourself screened and tested for chromosomal abnormalities. Though there is no treatment for chromosomal abnormalities, physical therapy, genetic counselling, occupational therapy and medicines may be suggested.

Besides, try keeping your health in good shape by making healthier lifestyle choices like exercising, eating right, quitting smoking etc.

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Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, based on industry experience and secondary sources. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified expert for health or insurance-related decisions. Content is subject to change, refer to current policy wordings for specific ACKO details.

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