Partial mole with coexistent live fetus: A systematic review of case reports

Molar pregnancy coexistent with a live fetus can be a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. With increasing incidence of multiple pregnancies, there has also been an increase in twin pregnancy with one mole in the recent years. The authors discuss the epidemiology, clinical presentation, and prenatal diagnosis and attempt to design a possible management strategy, to help guide the treating physician, in the management of partial mole with live pregnancy, thereby improving maternal and fetal prognosis.

Numerous case reports have been published in various journals regarding management of individual cases of partial molar pregnancy coexistent with live fetus (PMCF). Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of all the case reports and short case series in English concerning partial mole with live pregnancy from 1999 to 2019, that is in the last 20 years.

In total, 44 case reports of PMCF were analyzed. The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 20+6 (range: 10-40) weeks. Less than half (19/44; 43.2%) were asymptomatic at the time of detection and PMCF was detected on routine scan done for fetal well-being or 11-13-week scan. The majority (56.8%) resulted in the birth of a healthy live fetus. Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia developed in 3/44 (6.8%).

PMCF involves a high risk of bleeding, preterm labour, intrauterine growth restriction and stillbirth. Successful management of such cases needs prenatal diagnosis, antepartum surveillance and post-natal follow-up. An obstetrician, maternal fetal medicine specialist, gynecology oncologist and neonatal intensivist should be involved in the care of such pregnancies.