The Frequency of Risk Factors Associated with Molar Pregnancies among Primiparous and Multiparous women, A Cross Sectional Comparative study

Frequency of Risk Factors Associated with Molar Pregnancies

Abstract

Abstract:

Background
Molar pregnancy involves abnormal placental development, ranging from benign to malignant gestational trophoblastic disease, with incidence varying worldwide due to genetic, environmental, and socioeconomic influences.

Objective
To determine the frequency of risk factors associated with molar pregnancies among primiparous and multiparous women.

Methods
This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Sahiwal Teaching Hospital, from July 2023 to June 2025. A total of 160 women meeting inclusion criteria were enrolled after informed consent. Demographic and clinical characteristics, including age, gestational age, parity, education, socioeconomic status, and obstetric history, were recorded. Associations with parity were analysed using the Chi-square test.

Results
Of the 160 participants, 70 were primiparous and 90 multiparous. Most women (70.0%, n=112) were aged 18–30 years, with a mean age of 28.67 ± 3.87 years. The mean gestational age was 10.52 ± 1.54 weeks. Identified risk factors included prior molar pregnancy (5.0%), low socioeconomic status (46.3%), blood group A (45.6%), prior abortion (20.0%), illiteracy (41.9%), extreme maternal age (<20 or >35 years, 6.9%) and oral contraceptive use (35.0%). Comparison by parity showed that prior abortion was significantly more common among multiparous women (35.6% vs. 0.0%, p < 0.001), while maternal illiteracy was higher among primiparous women (52.9% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.013). Others showed no significant difference.

Conclusion
Two risk factors—prior abortion and maternal illiteracy—differed significantly by parity. These findings suggest that sociodemographic rather than biological determinants may play a stronger role in influencing molar pregnancy risk.

Keywords: Molar pregnancy, risk factors, Primiparous, Multiparous.