Can A Baby Survive A Molar Pregnancy?

A molar pregnancy is a complication in pregnancy that is seen rarely; in which the trophoblasts grow out of control. The trophoblasts are those cells which would normally grow and become placenta. This condition is also known as a hydatidiform mole.

In case of a partial molar pregnancy, the placental tissue is abnormally formed, but there is also a formation of normal placental tissue. The fetal tissue may also be formed, but the fetus usually does not survive and there is an early-pregnancy miscarriage. It is difficult for the baby to survive in either cases of molar pregnancy.

Two forms of molar pregnancy that are seen-

Complete molar pregnancy
Partial molar pregnancy

In case of a complete molar pregnancy, the placental tissue is completely abnormal, swollen and also shows the formation of cysts that are fluid filled. The fetal tissue is not formed at all.

Symptoms Of Molar Pregnancy

Molar pregnancy may feel like any other normal pregnancy in the beginning. However, it comes with its own specific signs and symptoms. These may include-

Vaginal bleeding which is bright red or dark brown in color
There may be a high degree of nausea and vomiting
You may see cysts passing through the vagina, which may be grape-like in appearance
There may be pelvic pain or pressure

Other than these, your doctor may find following signs upon further evaluation-

Your uterus may seem too large for your gestational age. There may be a fast growth of your uterus, which may not be corresponding to your gestational period

You may suffer from a high blood pressure
You may suffer from preeclampsia- a condition which marks an increase in blood pressure along with proteinuria
You may be having ovarian cysts
There may be anaemia
You may be suffering from hyperthyroidism

Causes Of Molar Pregnancy

Molar pregnancy is caused due to an abnormally or improperly fertilized egg
Human cells hold 23 pairs of chromosomes
Each pair of chromosomes gets one chromosome from the mother and the other from the father
In case of a complete molar pregnancy, one or two sperms fertilize an empty ovum or egg
Thus, all the genetic material is obtained from father
The chromosomes from the mother are lost or inactivated and the chromosomes from the father are duplicated
In a partial molar pregnancy, the maternal chromosomes are present, but the father supplies two sets of chromosomes instead of just one set
This means there are 69 chromosomes in the embryo in place of 46 chromosomes
This happens when two sperms fertilize one single egg
Due to this, the embryo gets one extra set of the father’s genetic material
In both these types, there is an imbalance of maternal and paternal sets of chromosomes, which makes it very difficult for this pregnancy to survive
As a result, there is usually a miscarriage during early months of pregnancy
Even if there is a normal pregnancy, which happens very rarely, the growth of the fetus will be restricted, and the baby will be born with some major abnormalities
Thus, it is evident that it is very difficult, nearly impossible for the fetus or the baby to survive while being affected by molar pregnancy

Treatment Of Molar Pregnancy

Molar pregnancy cannot be continued due to various health complications. It needs to be removed with immediate effect. This can be done by using one or many of the given techniques- dilatation and curettage, hysterectomy and monitoring your HCG levels

A molar pregnancy is a very rare complication seen in pregnancy, which typically shows an abnormal growth of the trophoblasts, the cells that would normally grow and become placenta. Since the placenta is compromised in this condition and placenta provides the nutrition to the baby when in womb; it is very difficult, nearly impossible for a baby to survive a molar pregnancy.

References:

MedlinePlus. (2021). Hydatidiform mole. Link: https://medlineplus.gov/hydatidiformmole.html
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (2020). Gestational Trophoblastic Disease. Link: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/gestational-trophoblastic-disease
Lurain, J. R. (2010). Gestational trophoblastic disease I: epidemiology, pathology, clinical presentation and diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic disease, and management of hydatidiform mole. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 203(6), 531-539. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2010.06.072 Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002937810007073
Seckl, M. J., Sebire, N. J., Fisher, R. A., Golfier, F., Massuger, L., Sessa, C., & ESMO Guidelines Working Group. (2010). Gestational trophoblastic disease: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Annals of Oncology, 21(Supplement_5), v39–v50. DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdq194 Link: https://academic.oup.com/annonc/article/21/suppl_5/v39/209238
Atrash, H. K., Hogue, C. J. R., & Grimes, D. A. (1986). Epidemiology of Hydatidiform Mole During Early Pregnancy. JAMA, 255(24), 3398–3402. DOI: 10.1001/jama.1986.03370240080032 Link: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/397707

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Can A Baby Survive A Molar Pregnancy?