Clinical presentation of molar pregnancy at a teaching hospital in Iran, 1996-2006.

Vaginal bleeding 187 (81.3) 297 (97.1) 0.001 Anemia 32 (13.9) 165 (53.9) 0.001 Uterine size larger than date 78 (33.9) 156 (51.0) 0.001 Hyperemesis 69 (30.0) 80 (26.1) 0.847 Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) comprises a spectrum of tumors with benign or malignant potential, including hydatidiform mole, invasivemole, choriocarcinoma, and placental site trophoblastic tumor. Hydatidiform moles, which comprise 80% of all GTD cases, are classified as complete or partial moles [1]. The traditional clinical presentation of molar pregnancy is well recognized. Signs and symptoms include vaginal bleeding that may be severe enough to lead to anemia, uterus larger than date, and the presence of ovarian theca lutein cysts. Systemic features include hyperemesis, pre-eclampsia, clinical hyperthyroidism, and respiratory distress [1,2]. The universal practice of performing ultrasonographic studies during the first trimester has led to earlier diagnosis of molar pregnancy; consequently, considerable changes have been observed in recent decades with regard to the clinical presentations and pathologic features of the condition [1,2]. The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence of the clinical presentations of hydatidiform mole among women in Iran during the past decade and to compare the findings with those from previous studies. The hospital records of all women attending Akbarabadi Teaching Hospital, Tehran, Iran, between June 21, 1996, and July 3, 2006, with a definitive pathologic diagnosis of molar pregnancy (partial or complete)were reviewed. Institutional ReviewBoard and Institutional Ethics Committee approval was obtained. There were 264 cases in total, for which the following clinical features were determined: maternal age at diagnosis; gravidity; parity;