Earlier diagnosis and serum human chorionic gonadotropin regression in complete hydatidiform moles.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) regression in uneventful complete hydatidiform moles before and after the introduction of routine first-trimester ultrasonography.

METHODS

Gestational age, maternal age, preevacuation hCG concentrations, serum hCG regression, and hCG disappearance time among a recent group of 137 women with uneventful complete hydatidiform moles that were found between 1994 and 2006 were evaluated retrospectively and compared with a historical cohort of 106 patients with complete moles that were found between 1977 and 1989.

RESULTS

Gestational age, preevacuation hCG concentration, and hCG disappearance time were significantly lower in the recent complete hydatidiform mole cohort compared with the historic series. Ninety-nine percent of the recent cohort achieved hCG normalization within 19 weeks after uterine evacuation compared with 25 weeks in the historic group.

CONCLUSION

Earlier serum hCG regression in the recent cohort of complete hydatidiform moles probably is a result of widely used first-trimester ultrasonography leading to detection and evacuation of complete moles at younger gestational ages, resulting in lower hCG levels at time of evacuation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

: II.