MOLAR PREGNANCY AND LIVING NORMAL FETUS COEXISTING UNTIL TERM - PRENATAL BIOCHEMICAL AND SONOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS

The extremely rare condition of molar pregnancy with a coexisting fetu s progressing to a viable infant, is reported, At 20 weeks gestational age, prenatal diagnosis was made by biochemical and sonographic findi ngs, in which elevated free beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG, 5 00 ng/ml) was noted and ultrasound showed a well-defined multicystic s nowstorm-like mass connecting with placenta, Chromosomal evaluation by amniocentesis was normal (46,XY) and ultrasound showed no fetal abnor malities, so the patient decided to keep the pregnancy and had no sign ificant complications noted in the antepartal period, At 38 weeks gest ational age, a Caesarean section was performed due to cephalopelvic di sproportion and a 3380 g, living boy was delivered. The infant did not show any abnormality. The placenta and the connecting hydatidiform mo lar tissue were delivered manually, Subsequently, since persistent ele vated beta-HCG was noted 2 months later, the patient was treated with chemotherapy for gestational trophoblastic disease, A normal beta-HCG concentration was noted thereafter, Prenatal differential diagnosis an d postnatal management are discussed as well as the rationale for allo wing the pregnancy to continue after the diagnosis at 20 weeks gestati onal age.