|
Medical Health Encyclopedia
Hydatidiform mole
Alternative Names
Hydatid mole; Molar pregnancy
Symptoms
- Abnormal growth of the womb (uterus)
- Excessive growth in about half of cases
- Smaller-than-expected growth in about a third of cases
- Nausea and vomiting that may be severe enough to require a hospital stay
-
Vaginal bleeding in pregnancy during the first 3 months of pregnancy
- Symptoms of hyperthyroidism
- Symptoms similar to preeclampsia that occur in the 1st trimester or early 2nd trimester -- this is almost always a sign of a hydatidiform mole, because preeclampsia is extremely rare this early in a normal pregnancy
Signs and tests
A pelvic examination may show signs similar to a normal pregnancy, but the size of the womb may be abnormal and the baby's heart sounds are absent. There may be some vaginal bleeding.
A pregnancy ultrasound will show an abnormal placenta with or without some development of a baby.
Tests may include:
-
HCG blood test
- Chest x-ray
- CT or MRI of the abdomen
- Complete blood count
- Blood clotting tests
- Kidney and liver function tests
Review Date: 11/21/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of
Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of
Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound,
Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of
Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director,
A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).
| 
.gif)
Get our free newsletter
