HYDATIDIFORM MOLE: INCIDENCE AND MANAGEMENT OUTCOMES IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN ABUJA

Dr. Mba GO and Dr. Abdullahi IH*

ABSTRACT

Background: Hydatidiform mole is an abnormal pregnancy of clinical and epidemiological importance because it affects women in the reproductive age group and is potentially fatal with a lot of associated morbidities. Objectives: To determine the incidence, clinical presentation and management outcome of Hydatidiform mole in University of Abuja Teaching Hospital. Materials and Methods: It was a seven year retrospective study of hydatidiform mole managed in University of Abuja Teaching Hospital between 1st January 2008 and 31st 2014. Data were extracted from the ward and theatre registers as well as patients’ folders from the medical library and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: There were 12,204 deliveries during the study period and 37 cases of cases of hydatidiform mole giving an incidence of 0.3% (3 per 1000 deliveries). Majority of the patients were teenagers (29.4%) and most (32.3%) were primipara. The most common clinical features were amenorrhoea (94.1%) and bleeding per vaginam (88.2%). Seventeen cases (50.0%) had uteri larger than dates, while in 12 cases (35.3%) the uterine sizes were smaller than dates. Ovarian enlargement was noted in 17.6% of the cases. Complications in the form of haemorrhage occurred in 7 cases (20.6%). There were 3 cases (9.1%) of choriocarcinoma, all of whom did not present at all for follow-up and two of the three subsequently had hysterectomy due to excessive haemorrhage. Only two (6.1%) of the patients received chemotherapy. However, all patients (100%) were managed surgically using suction evacuation. there was no death from GTD during the study period. Conclusion: Hydatidiform mole is a remains an important cause of maternal morbidity in our Centre which is largely due to poor and inadequate follow-up. Better outcome is possible with good patients’ counseling for improved follow up care.

Keywords: Gestational Trophoblastic Disease, Hydatidiform Mole, Molar Pregnancy, Uath.