Cytogenetic analysis of patients with primary and secondary amenorrhoea in Hong Kong: retrospective study

MSF Wong, STS Lam
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kwong Wah Hospital, 25 Waterloo Road, Hong Kong

OBJECTIVE. To estimate the incidence and type of chromosomal abnormalities in patients with primary and secondary amenorrhoea in Hong Kong.

DESIGN. Cytogenetic analysis and retrospective review.

SETTING. Clinical Genetic Service, Department of Health, Hong Kong.

PATIENTS. Case records of 549 patients with either primary (n=237) or secondary (n=312) amenorrhoea referred to the Clinical Genetic Service from 1 January 1991 to 30 April 2002 were reviewed. All these patients with amenorrhoea would have karyotyping (G banding) performed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES. Clinical characteristics of patients, and incidence and type of chromosomal abnormalities in the local population.

RESULTS. Sex chromosome anomaly was found in 24.5% and 9.9%, respectively, of women with primary and secondary amenorrhoea. In those with primary amenorrhoea, male karyotype was identified in 8.4% and X-chromosome abnormalities in 16.0%.

CONCLUSION. The incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in women with amenorrhoea is similar to that reported in the literature. Chromosomal abnormalities are identified often enough to warrant karyotyping of all women with amenorrhoea.

Hong Kong Med J 2005;11:267-72

Key words: Amenorrhea; Chromosome aberrations; Karyotyping; Ovarian failure, premature