There are many different reasons for having a miscarriage but the actual reasons for the miscarriage is often unknown. Approximately 50% of first trimester miscarriages are due to a chromosome abnormality in the fetus, though some people believe the incidence is higher than 50%. The most common chromosomal cause of a miscarriage before 12 weeks is an abnormality such as
- Monosomy X,
- trisomy 16,
- trisomy 21,
- trisomy 13, and
- trisomy 18.
Most chromosomal abnormalities are the cause of a faulty egg or sperm cell, or are due to a problem at the time that the zygote went through the division process.Occasionally a miscarriage can be caused by an inherited variation with the chromosomes. For example, a parent can have a rearrangement (a "translocation") of his or her chromosomes, in which the chromosomes are structured differently.
Causes for miscarriage include:
- Chromosomal anomalies
- Maternal age
- Infections
- Maternal health problems
- Smoking,
- Drug use,
- Malnutrition
- Exposure to radiation or toxic substances
- Maternal trauma
- Cervical incompetence (insufficiency)
Return to Miscarriage overview