What is the most common cause of miscarriage?

• A. Genetic abnormalities
• B. Hormonal imbalance
• C. Infection
• D. Uterine fibroids

Answer: (A)

Genetic abnormalities in the embryo are the leading cause of miscarriage, especially in the first trimester. During fertilization, errors in chromosome number or structure can produce a fetus that cannot develop normally. These chromosomal problems are most often random and become more likely as maternal age increases, because eggs are more prone to chromosomal errors over time. When a fetus has such an abnormality, the pregnancy often stops developing and ends as a miscarriage.

Hormonal imbalance, infection, and uterine fibroids can contribute to pregnancy loss in some cases, but they are less commonly the primary cause overall. The idea that chromosomal issues are the most frequent cause helps explain why many miscarriages occur very early, often before a woman even knows she is pregnant, and why prevention or treatment isn’t typically possible for most of these losses.