Observations on molar pregnancy in Enugu, Nigeria

Forty-one molar pregnancies seen at the University Teaching Hospital Enugu, Nigeria during the 10-year period 1976-1985 are analyzed. The incidence of hydatidiform mole was 0.82 per 1000 pregnancies. The incidence of molar pregnancy was lowest among teenage women and increased markedly with advancing age over 35 years. Hyperemesis gravidarum, a relatively uncommon finding in Nigerian women during normal pregnancy was a prominent feature of molar pregnancy in the women. The incidence of postmolar gestational trophoblastic disease was 17%; choriocarcinoma occurred in 7% of the subjects. Molar pregnancy and postmolar malignant trophoblastic disease occurred much less frequently among the Igbo women of Enugu than the Yorubas of western Nigeria. Earlier and better recognition and treatment of hydatidiform mole will probably result in a decrease in the high rate of complications found during this study.