What is the Difference Between Complete and Partial Mole?

A molar pregnancy, also known as a hydatidiform mole, is a rare complication of pregnancy that involves unusual growth of cells called trophoblasts, which typically become the placenta. There are two types of molar pregnancies: complete molar pregnancy and partial molar pregnancy. The main differences between complete and partial moles are:

• Origin: Complete moles are caused by either a single sperm (90% of the time) or two sperm (10% of the time) combining with an egg that has lost its DNA. Partial moles occur when a normal sperm fertilizes haploid ovum duplicates.
• Chromosomal Composition: Complete moles are typically diploid, containing 46 chromosomes. Partial moles are triploid, containing 69 chromosomes.
• Fetal Parts: Complete moles do not contain fetal parts, whereas there might be identifiable fetal residues in partial moles.
• Karyotype: In complete moles, the karyotype is 46,XX 90% of the time and 46,XY 10% of the time. In partial moles, the karyotype is 90% of the time triploid and either 69,XXX or 69,XXY.
• Symptoms: Both complete and partial molar pregnancies may cause higher levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which can lead to pregnancy symptoms. However, some molar pregnancies are asymptomatic and are only discovered during routine prenatal tests or when complications arise.

Both complete and partial molar pregnancies require immediate medical attention and can have serious complications, including a rare form of cancer.

Comparative Table: Complete vs Partial Mole

The main difference between a complete mole and a partial mole lies in the development of the placental tissue and fetal tissue during pregnancy. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences between the two:

Both complete and partial moles are types of molar pregnancies, which are rare complications that develop during pregnancy and involve abnormal growth of trophoblasts, the cells that normally grow in the placenta.