Pregnancy and the nephrologist: a review of one year's experience

A study was undertaken to assess the role that a nephrologist can play in modern obstetric practice. During 1981, 699 pregnant women were screened for covert bacteriuria. Thirty (4.3%) had bacteriuria and 24 were treated and followed through pregnancy. Acute pyelonephritis occurred in two. One of 21 intravenous urograms was abnormal. Fifteen women were seen with pregnancy-associated nephrological problems (complicated pre-eclampsia (7), reflux nephropathy (3), glomerulonephritis (3), essential hypertension (2). All women with preeclampsia had a normal intravenous urogram and recovered completely. Pregnancies in women with renal disease or essential hypertension had good outcomes for mother and baby if there was no renal insufficiency and blood pressure control was maintained.