A nationwide Dutch cohort study shows relatively good pregnancy outcomes after kidney transplantation and finds risk factors for adverse outcomes

Margriet E Gosselink*, Marleen C van Buren, Judith Kooiman, Henk Groen, Wessel Ganzevoort, Henk W van Hamersvelt, Olivier W H van der Heijden, Jacqueline van de Wetering, A Titia Lely

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

Although numbers of pregnancy after kidney transplantation (KT) are rising, high risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO) remain. Though important for pre-conception counselling and pregnancy monitoring, analyses of pregnancy outcomes after KT per pre-pregnancy estimated glomerular filtration rate-chronic kidney disease (eGFR-CKD)-categories have not been performed on a large scale before. To do this, we conducted a Dutch nationwide cohort study of consecutive singleton pregnancies over 20 weeks of gestation after KT. Outcomes were analyzed per pre-pregnancy eGFR-CKD category and a composite APO (cAPO) was established including birth weight under 2500 gram, preterm birth under 37 weeks, third trimester severe hypertension (systolic blood pressure over 160 and/or diastolic blood pressure over 110 mm Hg) and/or over 15% increase in serum creatinine during pregnancy. Risk factors for cAPO were analyzed in a multilevel model after multiple imputation of missing predictor values. In total, 288 pregnancies in 192 women were included. Total live birth was 93%, mean gestational age 35.6 weeks and mean birth weight 2383 gram. Independent risk factors for cAPO were pre-pregnancy eGFR, midterm percentage serum creatinine dip and midterm mean arterial pressure dip; odds ratio 0.98 (95% confidence interval 0.96-0.99), 0.95 (0.93-0.98) and 0.94 (0.90-0.98), respectively. The cAPO was a risk indicator for graft loss (hazard ratio 2.55, 1.09-5.96) but no significant risk factor on its own when considering pre-pregnancy eGFR (2.18, 0.92-5.13). This was the largest and most comprehensive study of pregnancy outcomes after KT, including pregnancies in women with poor kidney function, to facilitate individualized pre-pregnancy counselling based on pre-pregnancy graft function. Overall obstetric outcomes are good. The risk of adverse outcomes is mainly dependent on pre-pregnancy graft function and hemodynamic adaptation to pregnancy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)866-875
Number of pages10
JournalKidney International
Volume102
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2022

Keywords

  • hemodynamic adaptation
  • hypertension
  • kidney transplantation
  • pregnancy outcomes
  • prepregnancy counseling

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