Obstetric and long-term graft outcomes in pregnant kidney transplant recipients: A single-center experience

Background Kidney transplantation (KT) is the best option for many women with end-stage renal disease desiring pregnancy. The aim of this study was to investigate obstetric and graft outcomes among KT recipient women in our center. Methods Maternal and fetal data were assessed in 29 pregnancies of 18 female KT recipients. Each patient was matched with two controls without pregnancy history for factors known to affect graft function. According to pre-pregnancy levels, serum creatinine and eGFR slope in the gestational and postpartum periods were calculated as percentages. Results The main maternal and fetal complications were preeclampsia (38%) and preterm births (38%), respectively. Pregnancy (odds ratio [OR]: 5.09; p = .02), proteinuria in the third trimester (OR: 5.52; p = .02), proteinuria in postpartum third months (OR: 7.4; p = .008) and stable creatinine levels in the first 6 months of pregnancy (OR: 11.25 p = .03) were associated with graft dysfunction. Postpartum first year eGFR decline (-16.8% vs. -6.7%; p = .04) and second-year eGFR decline (-18.5% vs. -8.3%; p = .04) were significantly higher in the pregnancy group than those matched controls. Conclusion Pregnancy after KT is associated with high rates of maternal and fetal complications. The sustained decline of eGFR may suggest an increased risk of graft loss compared to recipients with similar clinical characteristics.

Automated summary

The study investigated obstetric and graft outcomes in 29 pregnancies of 18 female kidney transplant recipients. It found that pregnancy after kidney transplantation is associated with high rates of maternal and fetal complications, and may lead to sustained decline of graft function compared to recipients without pregnancy history.