A COMPLETE HYDATIDIFORM MOLE COEXISTING WITH A NORMAL FETUS WAS CONFIRMED BY VARIABLE NUMBER TANDEM REPEAT (VNTR) POLYMORPHISM ANALYSIS USING POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION

The diagnosis of a complete hydatidiform mole coexisting with a live f etus is often difficult because of the morphological similarity to a p artial mole, but it is crucial to management in the postmolar course. We present a recent case in which DNA polymorphism analysis clearly re vealed a different genetic origin for the fetal and molar parts. DNA p olymorphisms on three different variable number tandem repeat loci, wh ich were detected by polymerase chain reaction, indicated that the cor d/placenta and molar tissue were parental and androgenetic, respective ly. Subsequently, the patient was admitted for chemotherapy of metasta tic trophoblastic disease. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.