Chromosomal copy number variations in products of conception from spontaneous abortion by next-generation sequencing technology

Fetal chromosomal abnormalities are considered to be the main cause of spontaneous abortion (SA). We aimed to determine the differences in the rates and numbers of chromosomal abnormalities between samples from women with a history of one versus more than one SA as well as between samples from first- and second-trimester SAs in women from Northeast China. In total, 1210 products of conception (POCs) from patients with a history of one or more SAs were examined. Of these 1210 samples, 434 were from women with a history of 1 SA, and 776 were from women with a history of more than 1 SA. Additionally, 1071 samples were from the first trimester, 118 were from the second trimester, and 21 were from the third trimester. We identified chromosomal abnormalities by next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. Among the 1210 POCs in women with SA, 607 (50.17%) had fetal chromosomal abnormalities. There were no significant differences in the rates of chromosomal abnormalities according to the abortion frequency. However, first-trimester SA had a significantly higher percentage of fetal chromosomal abnormalities than second-trimester SA (P < .05). Among 663 chromosomal abnormalities, 633 abnormalities occurred in first-trimester SA; the most frequent karyotype was trisomy 16 (14.38%), followed by monosomy X (13.27%), trisomy 22 (7.90%), and trisomy 15 (5.37%). Thirty abnormalities occurred in second-trimester SA; the most frequent karyotype was trisomy 18 (26.67%), followed by monosomy X (16.67%), trisomy 21 (13.33%), and trisomy 13 (10.00%). No chromosomal abnormalities occurred in the third trimester. These findings indicate the importance of determining the genetic cause of abortion in patients with a history of SA. We also identified a trend suggesting that the percentage of fetal chromosomal abnormalities is significantly higher in first- than second-trimester SA. The detection rate of chromosomal abnormalities in POCs from SA can be increased by NGS, which is beneficial for couples with recurrent miscarriages and offers better genetic counseling in the clinical setting.