[Unsuspected molar pregnancy in first trimester miscarriages].

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of unsuspected molar pregnancy in patients with first trimester spontaneous abortions.

METHODS

An observational, cross-section study was carried out in 396 consecutive patients with diagnosis of first trimester spontaneous abortions, without clinical or ultrasonographic findings suggesting hydatidiform mole, a histological diagnosis was made from the curettage specimens, the cases with diagnosis of any trophoblastic disease prior of curettage were not included in the study.

RESULTS

Diagnosis of molar pregnancy was made in 48 out of 396 patients (12.1%). There was not statistical difference in the sociodemographic variables and risk factors analyzed: patient age, familial incomes, years in scholar courses, prior pregnancies, deliveries, spontaneous abortions, number of sons, and prior hormone contraceptive use between the patients with diagnosed molar pregnancy and those patients without the diagnosis of molar pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of unsuspected molar pregnancy found in our study (12.1%) was high and the suspicion in these cases according the risk factors of the disease could be difficult, therefore to rule out systematically molar pregnancy in each case of spontaneous abortions is recommended in order to avoid the complications associated with hydatidiform mole.