In Vitro Fertilization and Pregnancy Outcomes Among Patients After Kidney Transplantation: Case Series and...

Kidney transplantation (KTx) is the treatment of choice in patients with end-stage renal failure. Among various medical issues in female graft recipients, the need for maternity can become an overriding one. Gonadal dysfunction usually resolves within 6 months after transplantation; however, the prevalence of infertility is similar to this in the general population.

This case series describes the experience in infertility treatment and following perinatal care among KTx women who underwent successful in vitro fertilization (IVF). We followed three patients who previously received KTx and underwent IVF between 2014 and 2015. The 34-year-old (patient A) and 39-year-old (patient B) women received single KTx, and the 31-year-old (patient C) woman had received three previous transplantations. Patients A and C were diagnosed with primary tubal factor infertility, while patient B suffered from secondary idiopathic infertility. The stimulation protocols had no influence on their general condition nor graft function. Viable singleton pregnancies were confirmed in all cases. All newborns were born preterm, via cesarean section, as a consequence of severe preeclampsia. Patients A and C gave birth at 34th week of gestation (WG) (A: 1810 g and C: 2295 g), while patient B gave birth at 36th WG (2655 g). Other pregnancy complications were intrauterine growth restriction (patient A) and gestational diabetes mellitus (patient B). Although mild graft dysfunction was observed prior to delivery, all clinical measures and hypertension resolved during the puerperium.

In these cases, pregnancy after KTx did not implicate persistent graft dysfunction. Regardless of the method of conception, pregnancy following KTx is associated with an increased incidence of complications, therefore it requires a multidisciplinary approach. IVF itself seems to be a safe procedure in KTx recipients if the pregnancy is advisable.