Successful pregnancy in primary glomerular disease.

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Obstetrics
• Immunology

Background:

• Primary glomerular diseases affect women of reproductive age.
• Pregnancy can potentially impact renal function and disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the course of pregnancy in women with primary glomerular diseases.
• To compare maternal and fetal outcomes with a control group of non-pregnant women.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 66 pregnancies in 48 women with biopsy-proven primary glomerular diseases.
• Comparison with a matched control group of 36 non-pregnant women.
• Follow-up for maternal renal function, blood pressure, proteinuria, and fetal outcomes.

Main Results:

• Maternal renal function, hypertension, and proteinuria showed similar incidence in pregnant and non-pregnant groups at 1 and 5 years.
• Fetal survival rate was 92%, with 10.6% preterm deliveries and 31% perinatal mortality.
• Pregnancy-induced hypertension and proteinuria were observed in some women, often reversible.

Conclusions:

• Pregnancy in women with primary glomerular diseases does not appear to worsen long-term maternal renal prognosis.
• Increased preterm delivery and perinatal mortality rates are significant risks for these pregnancies.
• Careful monitoring during and after pregnancy is crucial for managing potential complications.