Homozygosity for a robertsonian translocation [13q;14q] in a phenotypically normal 44, XX female with a history of recurrent abortion and a normal pregnancy outcome

ABSTRACT

Background: Robertsonian translocations are structural chromosomal abnormalitiescaused by fusion of two acrocentric chromosomes. In carriers of such translocations,different modes of segregations would result in the formation of either balanced [alternatesegregation mode] or unbalanced [adjacent 1, adjacent 2, and 31 segregationmodes] gametes. In addition, there is an increased risk for imprinting disorders intheir offspring. Although it has been estimated that 1/1000 healthy persons carry aRobertsonian translocation, homozygosity for this type of structural chromosomalabnormality has been reported rarely. Most of reported cases are phenotypicallynormal but experience adverse pregnancy outcomes: