Chromosome abnormalities in newborn children. Aetiological aspects.

Abstract

Chromosome examination of 11,148 consecutively liveborn children showed 93 with a chromosome abnormality and 192 with a chromosome variant. There was no significant association between chromosome abnormalities and parental, social and occupational status, except that parents of boys with enlarged Y had a lower social status. Maternal age was higher for children with aneuploid or unbalanced chromosome abnormalities. Low oestriol concentration was more frequent in mothers of children with chromosome abnormalities. Sterility problems were found to a significantly higher degree in parents of children with balanced translocations, and there was a higher frequency of abortions in mothers of boys with enlarged Y chromosome. Oestrogen-gestagen drugs were taken more frequently by mothers of children with aneuploid chromosome abnormalities. Psychotropic drugs, ferro preparations and sulfonamides were taken with a significantly higher frequency among mothers of children with chromosome abnormalities. The frequency of AB Rhesus positive mothers was significantly higher for children with chromosome abnormalities, especially for those with balanced translocations and de novo translocations, than for children with normal karyotypes, whereas mothers of children with sex chromosome abnormalities had a higher frequency of B Rhesus negative blood type. There was also an association between the AB Rhesus negative type and chromosome abnormalities in children.