Hydatidiform mole incidence in Lombardy, northern Italy, 2009-2022: continued decline or plateau?

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2025 Dec;38(1):2568167. doi: 10.1080/14767058.2025.2568167. Epub 2025 Oct 7.

Abstract

Introduction: Hydatidiform mole (HM) incidence has shown contrasting temporal trends across different regions.

Methods: We analyzed HM incidence in Lombardy, Italy, from 2009 to 2022. HM cases were identified through regional registry data.

Results: A total of 1,131 HM cases occurred among 1,471,567 pregnancies, averaging 77 cases per 100,000 pregnancies. A significant decline was observed between 2009 and 2015 (p = 0.01), but no consistent trend emerged over the full period (p = 0.76). HM incidence was highest in women aged ≥46 (699.1/100,000) and <20 (107.6/100,000), and among women of Asian origin (110.4/100,000).

Discussion: The study suggests that diagnostic practices and demographic shifts may have influenced HM trends, while also confirming persistent ethnic and age-related risk patterns.

Keywords: Hydatidiform mole; Lombardy; epidemiology; hydatid mole; molar pregnancy.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydatidiform Mole* / epidemiology
  • Incidence
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Pregnancy
  • Registries
  • Uterine Neoplasms* / epidemiology
  • Young Adult