13/02/2025
🌱Molar Pregnancy (Hydatidiform Mole)
A molar pregnancy is a rare complication of pregnancy where abnormal trophoblastic tissue grows inside the uterus instead of a normal embryo. It is a type of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD).
Types of Molar Pregnancy
🌱Complete Molar Pregnancy
No fetus develops.
The egg is fertilized by a s***m, but the maternal genetic material is lost. The paternal DNA duplicates, leading to a 46,XX karyotype.
Only abnormal trophoblastic tissue grows, forming a mass of cysts (grape-like structures).
🌱 Partial Molar Pregnancy
An abnormal fetus may develop, but it is non-viable.
Happens when two s***m fertilize a single egg, leading to a 69,###, 69,XXY, or 69,XYY karyotype.
Contains both abnormal placental tissue and fetal structures.
🌱Risk Factors
Maternal age 35 years
Previous molar pregnancy
Nutritional deficiencies (e.g., low folic acid or carotene)
🌱Symptoms
Irregular vaginal bleeding (brownish discharge or bright red blood)
Excessively high hCG levels leading to severe nausea and vomiting (hyperemesis gravidarum)
Rapid uterine enlargement (larger than expected for gestational age)
Pelvic pain or pressure
Passage of grape-like vesicles (cystic structures)
Preeclampsia before 20 weeks gestation
Hyperthyroidism symptoms (tachycardia, tremors, heat intolerance)
🌱Diagnosis
1. Ultrasound
Complete mole: "Snowstorm" pattern (no fetal parts)
Partial mole: Abnormal fetus with cystic placenta
2. hCG levels
Extremely high compared to normal pregnancy
3. Histopathology
Confirms trophoblastic proliferation and cystic changes
🌱Complications
Persistent trophoblastic disease (PTD) → Requires chemotherapy
Choriocarcinoma (a malignant form of GTD)
Uterine perforation if the mole grows aggressively