What are the maternal risks and pregnancy outcomes after kidney transplantation?

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy after kidney transplantation should be considered as a major concern. Women with transplanted kidney were able to conceive for more than 50 years. Little studies are available highlighting the effects of transplantation on fetal and neonatal health.
Purpose: This study was conducted with the purpose of identifying the maternal risks and pregnancy outcomes after kidney transplantation.
Methods: Research design: A descriptive (non-experimental) design was used in conducting this study. Tools: Three tools were used during the course of this study, the interviewing questionnaire sheet, maternal risks assessment sheet and pregnancy outcomes sheet.
Results: Regarding the maternal risks, there was a significant increase in mean serum creatinine, decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate, increase in proteinuria, reported abortion rate was 16.3%, pregnancy induced hypertension rate was 20.9%; Among acquired infections, primary herpes simplex was very common with a rate of 18.6% while urinary tract infection rate was 39.5%. Among pregnancy outcomes, the mean gestational age was 35.4 ± 3, mean birth weight was 2,107.8 ± 567.7 and 74.4% of women delivered by C.s. 30.2% of delivered infants experienced incubator admission.
Conclusions: The current findings succeeded in answering both study questions.
Recommendation: Pregnant women with kidney transplantation should be followed-up more frequent than normal women for early detection of any risks and for obtaining favorable pregnancy outcomes. Women should be monitored frequently for kidney functions, early signs of pregnancy induced hypertension, acquired infections and other maternal risks reported by this study.