Acute renal failure in pregnancy

To provide an evidence-based, up-to-date review of the literature regarding the assessment and management of acute renal failure that may affect women during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

A review of the current literature was performed.

Acute renal failure is a rare complication of pregnancy but is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Management requires knowledge of the renal physiologic changes occurring in pregnancy and the relevant diagnoses, both pregnancy-specific and those that may coincidentally occur with pregnancy. In addition, fetal effects must be taken into consideration.

Ideal care for women with acute renal failure in pregnancy or postpartum requires a multidisciplinary approach that may include maternal-fetal medicine, critical care medicine, nephrology, and neonatology specialists.