A 24-year-old woman had a complete hydatidiform mole evacuated last year. She now asks about her risk if she conceives again. After one molar pregnancy the recurrence risk is approximately 1 percent. What is the approximate recurrence risk after two consecutive molar pregnancies?
- A 2 to 3 percent
- B 5 percent
- C 15 to 20 percent ✓
- D 50 percent
Correct answer: C. 15 to 20 percent
Explanation
Recurrence risk rises steeply with repeated events: approximately 1 percent after one molar pregnancy but 15 to 20 percent after two consecutive moles. Women with recurrent moles warrant genetic counselling, and testing for familial biparental molar pregnancy due to mutations in the NLRP7 gene should be considered, since this autosomal recessive condition causes recurrent biparental moles. Options A and B underestimate the risk, and 50 percent overstates it even in familial cases, where transmission patterns differ.
Reference: Novak's Gynecology, 16th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.