If preeclampsia occurs in the first trimester, which condition should be considered as a potential underlying process?

When preeclampsia is identified in the first trimester, it raises concerns about underlying conditions that could be contributing to its development. One significant condition to consider is molar pregnancy, which involves the abnormal growth of trophoblastic tissue. Molar pregnancies can lead to elevated levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and other hormonal imbalances, which may trigger symptoms similar to those of preeclampsia, such as hypertension and proteinuria.

Molar pregnancies, particularly complete moles, can also result in complications due to the excessive proliferation of placental tissue, leading to vascular changes that mimic or lead to preeclampsia. Therefore, in cases of early preeclampsia, the presence of a molar pregnancy should be evaluated to rule out this possibility.

Other options like ectopic pregnancy, chorioamnionitis, and placental abruption generally present with different clinical features or occur later in pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies typically result in acute abdominal pain and may cause internal bleeding rather than hypertension and proteinuria. Chorioamnionitis is an infection of the membranes that usually occurs after the onset of labor and is not commonly associated with early preeclampsia. Placental abruption