Cell Division Problem Linked With Miscarriage and Birth Defects

A recent study indicates that chromosomal defects that cause miscarriage and birth defects like Down's syndrome can be attributed to a certain feature in the egg cell division process. The findings are more specific in case of women over 40-years of age since they are at a higher risk of miscarriage than younger women. By the time a woman reaches 40, half f the eggs she ovulates are chromosomally abnormal unlike women in their 20s whose only 10% eggs are chromosomally abnormal. Researchers from the Washington State University found that in certain cases the egg cell continues to divide even if the chromosomes are not arranged properly. This can lead to an abnormal number of chromosomes resulting in miscarriage or birth defects. However researchers have not found any solution to this problem.

This study is published in the current issue of the journal Current Biology.


Source-Medindia