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Molar Pregnancy

By Krissi Danielsson, About.com

Updated February 04, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Definition:

A nonviable pregnancy involving specific chromosomal abnormalities. There are two types of molar pregnancies: complete and partial.

Instead of developing as a normal pregnancy would, a molar pregnancy develops as a mass of abnormal placental tissue. A partial mole may also have fetal tissue and even a fetal heart beat. However, the chromosomal abnormalities are not compatible with life; the pregnancy is not viable and must be terminated.

About 20% of molar pregnancies lead to the development of complications after treatment, so doctors monitor women who have had molar pregnancies closely for several months afterward.

Also Known As: gestational trophoblastic disease, hydatidiform mole, partial hydatidiform mole
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