3. Renal Disease in Pregnancy

Renal Disease in Pregnancy

This PatientPlus article is written for healthcare professionals so the language may be more technical than the condition leaflets. You may find the abbreviations list helpful.

Renal disease can affect the outcome of pregnancy, pregnancy can affect the progression of pre-existing renal disease, and pregnancy can itself cause renal impairment. The renal system undergoes significant physiological and anatomical changes during a normal pregnancy:

  • Renal plasma flow increases by 50-70% in pregnancy (the change is most pronounced in the first two trimesters).
  • There is an increased glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which peaks at about the 13th week of pregnancy and can reach levels up to 150% of normal.
  • Therefore, both urea and creatinine levels are decreased.
  • Increased levels of progesterone at the beginning of pregnancy increase relaxation of arterial smooth muscles and so decrease peripheral vascular resistance, causing a blood pressure fall of approximately 10 mm Hg in the first 24 weeks of pregnancy.
  • A change in tubular function with increased glycosuria also occurs (see Renal function in pregnancy, below).
  • The anatomical changes are mainly in the collecting system. A dilatation of the ureters and pelvis occurs, which can lead to urinary stasis and an increased risk of developing urinary tract infections (UTIs).
  • There is also an increase in overall kidney size by about 1-1.5 cm.
  • In general, the physiological changes peak by the end of the second trimester and then start to return to pre-pregnancy levels; anatomical changes generally take up to 3 months postpartum to subside.
  • Values considered normal when not pregnant may reflect decreased renal function in pregnancy. Creatinine above 75 μmol/L and urea above 4.5 mmol/L are indications for further investigation.[1]
  • The use of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is not recommended in pregnancy.[2]
  • Glycosuria is common and does not usually indicate diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance.
  • Urinary protein excretion increases during pregnancy, but never to more than 300 mg/day and, therefore, overt proteinuria is abnormal.
  • Women are at increased risk of urinary tract infection (UTI) because of renal tract dilatation leading to urinary stasis.

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  • Women with +1 (or more) dipstick positive proteinuria in the absence of infection should have the level of proteinuria quantified.
  • Baseline quantification of proteinuria should be by 24-hour collection for urine protein and by protein/creatinine ratio (PCR). PCR alone may be used for follow-up.
  • Pregnant women with persistent proteinuria above 500 mg/day diagnosed before 20 weeks' gestation should be referred promptly to a nephrologist.
  • Women with nephrotic syndrome should be given thromboprophylaxis with heparin in pregnancy and the puerperium.
  • Higher levels of proteinuria may increase the risk for venous thromboembolism and may also warrant thromboprophylaxis in pregnancy.
  • Isolated microscopic haematuria with structurally normal kidneys does not need to be investigated during pregnancy but should be evaluated if persistent following delivery.[2]
  • Asymptomatic bacteriuria is found in 2% of sexually active women, and is more common (up to 7%) during pregnancy.
  • Because of the dilatation of the calyces and ureters that occurs in pregnancy, 25% will go on to develop pyelonephritis, which can cause fetal growth restriction, fetal death, and premature labour.
  • Pyelonephritis is common at around 20 weeks and in the puerperium.
  • Asymptomatic bacteriuria and urinary tract infections (UTIs) in pregnancy should be treated with antibiotics. Antibiotic prophylaxis should be given to women with recurrent bacteriuria or UTIs and kidney disease.[2]
  • 20% of women having pyelonephritis in pregnancy have underlying renal tract abnormalities and an intravenous urogram (IVU) or ultrasound at 12 weeks postpartum should be considered.

Women with renal disease considering pregnancy should be offered pre-pregnancy assessment and counselling by a multidisciplinary team (which should include an obstetrician, a renal/obstetric physician and a specialist midwife).[2]

  • For women with normal or only mildly decreased pre-pregnancy renal function (serum creatinine below 125 μmol/l), obstetric outcome is usually successful without adverse effects on the long-term course of their disease, but there is an increased risk of antenatal complications such as hypertension and pre-eclampsia (see separate article Hypertension in Pregnancy).[2]
  • Women with more severe renal impairment are more likely to suffer hypertension , pre-eclampsia or premature labour, and to have a small baby, miscarriage or irreversible decline in renal function in the long-term.[1]
  • Pregnancy is extremely uncommon in women with end-stage renal failure on dialysis, for a variety of reasons; most such women are infertile. Fertility often returns rapidly after a successful renal transplant.
  • If women on dialysis do become pregnant, the outcome is usually poor with a very high risk of miscarriage, severe hypertension, small babies and prematurity.[3] A 50% increase in dialysis is needed. Live birth outcome is only about 50%. Outcome is better for those with renal transplants.[4]
  • Medications, especially antihypertensive agents, must be reviewed in women with renal disease who wish to get pregnant. Prednisolone, azathioprine, ciclosporin and tacrolimus do not appear to be associated with fetal abnormality and should not be discontinued in pregnancy.[2]
  • In pregnant women with renal disease, the target blood pressure should be below 140/90 mm Hg.[2]
  • Women with kidney disease should be offered low-dose aspirin as prophylaxis against pre-eclampsia, with treatment starting within the first trimester.[2]

Women found, or suspected to have, renal disease in pregnancy should be referred to a nephrologist.[2]

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Further reading & references

  1. Baylis C; Impact of pregnancy on underlying renal disease. Adv Ren Replace Ther. 2003 Jan;10(1):31-9.
  2. Renal Disease in Pregnancy, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, June 2008
  3. Sanders CL, Lucas MJ; Renal disease in pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2001 Sep;28(3):593-600, vii.
  4. Marsh JE, Maclean D, Pattison JM; Drugs in pregnancy. Renal disease. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2001 Dec;15(6):891-901.
Original Author: Dr Colin Tidy Current Version:
Last Checked: 20/04/2011 Document ID: 2716  Version: 22 © EMIS

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. EMIS has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details see our conditions.