[Triploidy and mole. Apropos of 2 cases continuing to the second trimester]

Triploidy in a common chromosomal abnormality that gives rise to early abortion in most cases. Rarely triploidies carry on past the end of the first trimester. When they do they are always accompanied by severe intra-uterine growth retardation with occasionally molar changes in the placenta. These changes are different from hydatidiform moles but they can become malignant. The formal diagnosis of triploidy depends on the fetal caryotype.