Objective: To study the genetic origin of hydatidiform moles (HM) and the clinical outcome.
Methods: 41 cases of hydatidiform mole were collected mainly from Beijing area and studied for genetic components by DNA fingerprints. The diagnosis of persistent gestational trophoblastic disease (PTD) was made if blood hCG remained higher than normal 8 weeks after mole evacuation.
Results: Among 41 HM samples, 32 produced identifiable DNA fingerprints. DNA from only paternal origin was found in 21, in which 6 were PTD, DNA from both parents in 11, none of which developed PTD.
Conclusions: DNA from only paternal origin was more frequently found than from both parents in HM, and there was a higher risk of PTD in the former group than in the latter.