Recurrent Abortions and Down Syndrome Resulting from Robertsonian Translocation 21q; 21q

AIM: The purpose of the present research was a presentation of case report of Robertsonian translocation composed of homologous chromosomes 21q;21q and reproductive risk found in the family affected by this type oftranslocation. METHODS: Cytogenetic diagnosis has been done on chromosome preparations of lymphocytes cultured from peripheral blood by Moorhead method. RESULTS: Analyses of cytogenetic diagnosis was performed on the couple who has been through 10 spontaneous miscarriages and two additional births with Down syndrome. The woman had Robertsonian translocation between homologous chromosomes 21: 45XX,der(21;21)(q10;q10), and there was no change in her phenotype, whereas her husband had a normal phenotype and karyotype: 46, XY. Their first child with Down syndrome symptoms did not undergo the cytogenetic analysis. By cytogenetic analysis it was discovered that their second child has Trisomy 21 with Robertsonian translocations between homologous chromosomes 21: 46,XY,+21,der(21;21) (q10;q10)mat, and that he inherited it from his mother. CONCLUSION: Chromosomal aberration that our patient suffered from and that is presented in this paper has caused spontaneous miscarriages and birth of children with Down syndrome. Based on cytogenetic analysis in prenatal diagnosis and genetic consultation of affected family with Robertsonian translocation 21q;21q, it is unlikely to select healthy offspring by a parent with that aberration.