Management of Nephrotic Syndrome in the Pregnant Patient

To present a case series of pregnant women with nephrotic syndrome, describe maternal and fetal outcomes, and propose treatment strategies.

A retrospective cohort case review of 11 pregnant women with nephrotic syndrome was performed over 2 years. Treatment regimens and trends were recorded. Linear regression was used for continuous outcomes, and logistic regression for categorical outcomes (p<0.05).

On first admission, 3 of 11 patients had a serum creatinine >1.4 mg/dL; all 11 exhibited an antepartum increase in creatinine. Two required antepartum dialysis, and 3 were dialyzed postpartum. Initial mean 24-hour urine protein was 10,522 mg (2,160-36,603) and increased to 26,220 mg (4,650-49,980). Pregravid weight increased from a mean 95 kg (BMI 33.8) to 112 kg (BMI 39.9) at time of delivery. Mean antepartum and postpartum diuresis was 33.2 L (±25.8) and 5.2 L (±8.2), respectively. Mean serum albumin levels were 2 g/dL. Ten patients received intravenous diuretics and 9 received intravenous albumin. Mean gestational age at delivery was 34w 3d (30.4-38.4).

Pregnant women with nephrotic syndrome can be managed successfully by a collaborative team of obstetricians and nephrologists with careful diuresis, repletion of albumin, and administration of anticoagulants, when necessary, to deliver a healthy, probably preterm, neonate.