Background
Acute kidney injury (AKI) in pregnancy (Pr-AKI) is associated with substantial maternal morbidity and mortality. E-alerts are routinely used for detection of AKI in non-pregnant patients but their role in maternity care has not been explored.
Methods
All pregnant or postpartum women with AKI e-alerts for AKI Stages 1–3 (Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria) were identified at a tertiary centre >2 years. Two women matched by delivery date for each case were selected as controls. AKI stage, recognition of AKI, pregnancy outcomes, renal recovery, AKI aetiology and risk factors were extracted from electronic patient records.
Results
288 of 11 922 (2.4%) women had AKI e-alerts, of which only 118 (41%) were recognized by the obstetric team. Common Pr-AKI causes included infection (48%), pre-eclampsia (26%) and haemorrhage (25%), but no cause was identified in 15% of women. Renal function recovered in 213 (74%) women, but in 47 (17%) repeat testing was not undertaken and 28 (10%) did not recover function. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and Caesarean section were associated with increased incidence of Pr-AKI compared with controls.
Conclusions
Pr-AKI e-alerts were identified in ∼1 in 40 pregnancies. However, a cause for Pr-AKI was not identified in many cases and e-alerts may have been triggered by gestational change in serum creatinine. Pregnancy-specific e-alert algorithms may be required. However, 1 in 10 women with Pr-AKI had not recovered kidney function on repeat testing. Better understanding of long-term impacts of Pr-AKI on pregnancy and renal outcomes is needed to inform relevant Pr-AKI e-alert thresholds.
Background
As awareness around infertility is increasing among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), ever more of them are seeking Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). Our aim was to perform a systematic review to describe obstetric and renal outcomes in women with CKD following ART.
Methods
The following databases were searched from 1946 to May 2021: (1) Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), (2) Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), (3) Embase and (4) MEDLINE.
Results
The database search identified 3520 records, of which 32 publications were suitable. A total of 84 fertility treatment cycles were analysed in 68 women. Median age at time of pregnancy was 32.5 years (IQR 30.0, 33.9 years). There were 60 clinical pregnancies resulting in 70 live births (including 16 multifetal births). Four women developed ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome which were associated with acute kidney injury. Hypertensive disorders complicated 26 pregnancies (38.3%), 24 (35.3%) pregnancies were preterm delivery, and low birth weight was present in 42.6% of pregnancies. Rates of live birth and miscarriage were similar for women with CKD requiring ART or having natural conception. However, more women with ART developed pre-eclampsia (p < 0.05) and had multifetal deliveries (p < 0.001), furthermore the babies were lower gestational ages (p < 0.001) and had lower birth weights (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
This systematic review represents the most comprehensive assessment of fertility outcomes in patients with CKD following ART. However, the high reported live birth rate is likely related to reporting bias. Patient selection remains crucial in order to maximise patient safety, screen for adverse events and optimise fertility outcomes.
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