Is there a relationship between treatment for infertility and gestational trophoblastic disease?

• Published in: Human reproduction (Oxford) 2004-02, Vol.19 (2), p.365-367
• Main Authors: Bates, M., Everard, J., Wall, L., Horsman, J.M., Hancock, B.W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Case-Control Studies; Clomiphene - administration & dosage; clomiphene/GTD/hydatidiform mole/infertility/IVF; Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gestational Trophoblastic Disease - drug therapy; Gestational Trophoblastic Disease - etiology; Humans; Infertility, Female - therapy; Middle Aged; Pregnancy; Retrospective Studies
• ISSN: 0268-1161; 1460-2350; 1460-2350
• DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deh068

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to record the incidence of treatment for infertility prior to development of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). METHODS AND RESULTS: A retrospective analysis was undertaken of 231 consecutive women receiving chemotherapy for persistent GTD at Weston Park Hospital, Sheffield, from 1991 to 2001. Three patients in this group had received treatment for infertility prior to their molar pregnancy. In a control group of 226 patients not requiring treatment for persistent GTD, four had had treatment for infertility just before their molar pregnancy, and in a further control group of 208 ‘normal’ pregnancies, eight patients had had treatment for infertility prior to conception. CONCLUSION: We conclude that we can demonstrate no relationship between infertility treatment and subsequent development of GTD.