Pregnancy in organ transplant recipients

Pregnancy in women who are renal transplant recipients carries risks of hypertension and worsening of renal function for the mother and risks of prematurity, growth retardation, and infection in the infant. The risks for mother and child are greater if the transplant recipient has moderate renal insufficiency or hypertension prior to conception; even in patients with moderate renal insufficiency, birth of a viable infant is the rule. Pregnancy should not be discouraged in renal transplant recipients, but both mother and fetus should be carefully followed through the pregnancy and neonatal period. The restoration of fertility should be included as a benefit of transplant in discussions with young women deciding between dialysis and transplant for treatment of renal failure.