Molar pregnancy
| Molar Pregnancy | |
|---|---|
| Hydatidiform mole (1) complete type.jpg | |
| Synonyms | N/A |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Vaginal bleeding, rapid uterine growth, hyperemesis gravidarum |
| Complications | Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia |
| Onset | During pregnancy |
| Duration | N/A |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Abnormal fertilization |
| Risks | N/A |
| Diagnosis | Ultrasound, hCG levels |
| Differential diagnosis | N/A |
| Prevention | N/A |
| Treatment | Dilation and curettage, monitoring of hCG levels |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | N/A |
| Frequency | N/A |
| Deaths | N/A |
Molar pregnancy, also known as hydatidiform mole, is a rare complication of pregnancy characterized by the abnormal growth of trophoblastic tissue, which normally develops into the placenta. It is a type of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) and can be classified into two types: complete and partial moles.
Types[edit]
Complete Molar Pregnancy[edit]
A complete molar pregnancy occurs when an egg with no genetic material is fertilized by a sperm. The resulting tissue is abnormal and forms a mass in the uterus. There is no formation of a fetus in complete moles.
Partial Molar Pregnancy[edit]
A partial molar pregnancy occurs when a normal egg is fertilized by two sperm, leading to the formation of an abnormal fetus and placenta. The fetus is usually malformed and cannot survive.
Signs and Symptoms[edit]
Common symptoms of molar pregnancy include:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Rapid uterine growth
- Severe nausea and vomiting (hyperemesis gravidarum)
- High levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
Diagnosis[edit]
Molar pregnancy is typically diagnosed through:
- Ultrasound: A "snowstorm" pattern may be seen in complete moles.
- Elevated hCG levels: Higher than expected for the gestational age.
Treatment[edit]
The primary treatment for molar pregnancy is the surgical removal of the molar tissue through dilation and curettage (D&C). After removal, hCG levels are monitored to ensure that all molar tissue has been removed and to detect any potential development of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.
Prognosis[edit]
With appropriate treatment, the prognosis for molar pregnancy is generally good. However, there is a risk of developing gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, which requires further treatment.