Pattern of Short-Term Outcomes of Renal Function in Postpartum Acute Kidney Injury Patients: A Single-Center Study

Acute kidney injury (AKI) during the postpartum period remains a significant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly in low-resource settings. Despite advances in obstetric care, little is known about the short-term renal outcomes following postpartum AKI. The aim of the study was to assess the short-term outcomes of renal function in postpartum acute kidney injury patients. This prospective observational study was conducted at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital in Bangladesh between March 2020 and April 2021. The study enrolled 153 postpartum acute kidney injury (AKI) patients from the Departments of Nephrology and Obstetrics & Gynaecology using purposive sampling. Data on patient demographics, etiology and presentation were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22.0, with a significance threshold of p<0.05 for all tests. After three months, 77.8% fully recovered, 4.6% developed chronic kidney disease and 2.0% needed dialysis. Sadly, 15.7% didn't survive, highlighting postpartum acute kidney injury's severity. Mortality rates didn't significantly differ between vaginal delivery (14.9%0) and cesarean section (16.0%) groups (p=0.488). Both groups saw positive outcomes, with 75.5% of vaginal delivery and 79.2% of cesarean section patients achieving full recovery. Serum creatinine dropped from 4.13±1.51 to 1.53±1.83 mg/dl after 3 months, indicating treatment success. Blood urea also significantly decreased from 128.51±39.59 to 101.65±55.57 mg/dl during this period. Most postpartum acute kidney injury patients show promising recovery, but some still grapple with persistent kidney issues. Tragically, mortality rates underscore the severity of this condition. Importantly, survival rates don't significantly differ between vaginal delivery and cesarean section patients, emphasizing timely interventions. Improved serum creatinine and reduced blood urea levels highlight treatment effectiveness.