recurrent chromosomal abnormality causes

[ksugar]

Hello, I am 27 yrs old. My husband and I have had 3 m/c due to abnormal chromosomes in baby, all passed prior to 8wks, 1st was trisomy 4, 2nd trisomy 15, both female and last baby was male and had double trisomy of the 6th and 18th chromosomes. Husband and I have been for genetics testing, no abnormalities, or translocations, as well I have had all of the autoimmune, clotting, etc. test done. Nothing seems to be causing this. I earlier this month had found out that I have had an infection due to a previous root canal done, I have had the tooth removed and infection is gone. Could this infection have cause this recurring chromosome abnormalities, or any ideas what else could be causing it? Thank you
Kristy

[kscatt13]

Could a sinus infection/cold effect implantation?

Thanks!

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
Your tooth infection almost certainly did NOT cause the miscarriages.  Almost all miscarriages are caused by chromosomal anomalies, so it is not surprising that your miscarriages were caused by this.  What IS surprising, is how many times in a row it has happened to you!  Most couples don't experience more than one loss.

When egg and sperm cells divide, the chromosomes line up in the center of the cell, and half of the chromosomes go to one cell, and the other half go to the other.  There are genes that govern this process of cell division, just like genes govern everything else.  You or your husband may have a hereditary abnormality in one of these genes.  (You may want to google MEIOSIS). Did your mother have miscarriages? Or anyone else in either side?

One way around the problem might be In vitro fertilization with PGD (pre-implantation genetic diagnosis).  This is a ;procedure in which embryos are tested to see if they are normal, and only the normal ones are transferred to the mother's uterus. It is very likely that if you had a normal embryo, you could carry the pregnancy.

This is a very complex way of saying, No, the infection did not cause the problem.  
I hope this is helpful!
Dr B

[JAXX55]

Hi. I'm sorry for your losses. The infection, in my opinion and as far as I know, cant cause chromosome defects. An infection could perhaps MUTATE genes, but not remove/add chromosomes, as chromosomes are either already present or missing in the egg/or sperm... so your infection in your tooth would have nothing to do with that. HOWEVER, the lingering infection in your tooth COULD cause your immune system to become weaker, and therefore making it harder to sustain a pregnancy with even a healthy baby. Again I'm sorry for your loss and I'm sure your doctor can tell you more about this than I can. Hope I helped tho and GL in the future! :)