Outcome of pregnancy after renal transplantation

Pregnancy outcomes in renal transplant recipients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Kidney transplantation is a superior treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), compared with hemodialysis, offering better quality of life and birth outcomes in women with ESRD and lower fertility rates.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the pregnancy, maternal, fetal, and graft outcomes following kidney transplantation in women with ESRD and evaluate the improvements in quality of life and associated risks.

DESIGN

A systematic review and meta-analysis performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines.

DATA SOURCES AND METHODS

A thorough search of multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, ATC abstracts, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, was conducted to identify studies that analyzed pregnancy outcomes in kidney transplant patients. The search was conducted from the inception of each database to January 2023.

RESULTS

The study reviewed 109 studies that evaluated 7708 pregnancies in 5107 women who had undergone renal transplantation. Of these, 78.48% resulted in live births, 9.68% had induced abortion, and 68.67% had a cesarean section. Miscarriage occurred in 12.54%, preeclampsia in 20.87%, pregnancy-induced hypertension in 24.30%, gestational diabetes in 5.08%, and preterm delivery in 45.30% of cases. Of the 853 recipients, 123 had graft loss after pregnancy and 8.06% suffered acute rejection.

CONCLUSION

Pregnancy after kidney transplantation is associated with risks for mother and fetus; however, live births are still possible. In addition, there are reduced overall risks of stillbirths, miscarriages, neonatal deaths, and gestational diabetes.

REGISTRATION

PROSPERO (CRD42024541659).

Patient and Graft Outcomes Among Filipino Post-kidney Transplant Pregnancies

BACKGROUND

Kidney transplantation (KT) has been shown to improve fertility rates among women post-transplant. However, despite the favorable outcome, the impact of pregnancy on the graft and the graft's effect on the fetus should be considered. In addition, these patients are exposed to anti-rejection medications that could affect the fetus.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the graft and pregnancy outcomes among KT recipients.

METHODOLOGY

Descriptive study of 32 post-KT recipients who were pregnant from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2016 and were followed up 3 months post-partum. Each pregnancy was considered as an event.

RESULTS

Among the 32 post-KT patients there were 38 pregnancies. Mean age at conception was 34 years, with a mean interval between KT and pregnancy of 4.8 years. Around 84% took cyclosporine-based immunosuppression. The mean pre-natal serum creatinine was 1.15 mg/dL, 5.3% had ≥ 1.5 mg/dL pre-natal creatinine, and the rejection rate was 10.5%. The results of the pregnancies were as follows: 94% resulted in live births, 18.42% of mothers had pre-eclampsia, 3% had eclampsia, 3% ended in abortion, and 3% were stillbirth. Sixty-eight percent of the pregnancies were unplanned, and more complications were observed among these patients.

CONCLUSION

The maternal and fetal outcomes and complications in this study were comparable with other studies. However, most of these complications were observed with unplanned pregnancies. Counselling prior to pregnancy should therefore be emphasized.