Epidemiology

The incidence of hydatidiform mole is expressed as molar gestations per number of pregnancies. In the US, molar pregnancy (MP) is identified in 1 in 1000 to 1200 pregnancies, and in 1 in 600 therapeutic abortions.[5]​ The incidence seems to be higher in Latin American and Asian countries, although the etiological factors involved have not yet been determined.[5][6][7]​​​​ Women with a previous diagnosis of hydatidiform mole have a 1% to 2% chance of molar gestation in subsequent pregnancies.[8][9]​​​​ There is a modestly increased incidence of MP among women less than 20 years of age, but women over 35 years of age have a significantly higher risk of MP, which increases progressively as maternal age advances.[10][11][12][13]​​​[14][15]​ ​Despite these findings, most molar pregnancies occur in women between 20 and 30 years of age because there is a larger total number of pregnancies in this age group.

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