contact us  |  privacy policy

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Hydatidiform mole

Normal uterine anatomy (cut section)
Normal uterine anatomy (cut section)
Uterus
Alternative Names

Hydatid mole; Molar pregnancy


Symptoms
  • Vaginal bleeding in pregnancy during the first trimester
  • Nausea and vomiting, may be severe enough to require a hospital stay
  • Abnormal growth in the size of the uterus for the stage of the pregnancy
    • Excessive growth in about 50% of cases
    • Smaller-than-expected growth in about 33% of cases
  • Symptoms of hyperthyroidism
    • Rapid heart rate
    • Restlessness, nervousness
    • Heat intolerance
    • Unexplained weight loss
    • Loose stools
    • Trembling hands
    • Skin warmer and more moist than usual
  • Symptoms similar to preeclampsia that occur in the 1st trimester or early 2nd trimester. (This almost always indicates hydatidiform mole, because preeclampsia is extremely rare this early in normal pregnancies.)
    • High blood pressure
    • Swelling in feet, ankles, legs
    • Proteinuria

Signs and tests

A pelvic examination may show signs similar to a normal pregnancy, but the uterine size may be abnormal and fetal heart sounds are absent. There may be some vaginal bleeding.

Tests may include:

  • Serum HCG
  • Ultrasound of the pelvis
  • Chest x-ray
  • Abdominal CT or MRI

This disease may also affect the results of the following tests:

  • Transvaginal ultrasound
  • HCG (quantitative)


Review Date: 11/17/2006
Reviewed By: Audra Robertson, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

TheHealthCentralNetwork  
Acid Reflux Connection Bipolar Connect My Diabetes Central High Blood Pressure Connection My Osteoarthritis Central
Allergy Network My Breast Cancer Network My Diet Exercise Incontinence Network My RA Central
Our Alzheimer's Cholesterol Network Erectile Dysfunction Connection My Migraine Connection Schizophrenia Connection
Anxiety Connection Chronic Pain Connection Herpes Connection Osteoporosis Connection Skin Cancer Connection
Asthma Central My Depression Connection My Heart Central Prostate Commons My Sleep Central