As a companion to Traci’s episode, Mary dives into balanced translocations and how they can affect fertility.

A balanced or chromosomal translocation is a condition in which part of a chromosome has broken off and reattached in another location. In other words, it means that sections of two chromosomes have switched places. It can increase the risk of recurrent miscarriage. In about 4.5% of all couples with recurrent miscarriages, one or both parents has a balanced translocation. Research has shown that couples with balanced translocations are more likely to have miscarriages than couples without balanced translocations. Testing is done through karyotyping, which is a blood test done on both partners. Some research suggests balanced translocation in the mother is most likely to be associated with recurrent miscarriages, but fathers can be carriers as well.

There is no cure for balanced translocation.In some cases, couples with balanced translocation conceive naturally or they can opt for a treatment called preimplantation genetic diagnosis or PGD. In PGD, the couple conceives via in-vitro fertilization along with gene testing of the embryos to be sure that they do not have an unbalanced translocation.

As always speak to your healthcare professional if you are experiencing this issue.

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