Challenges in managing pregnancy in underserved women with chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health problem and is linked to adverse outcomes during pregnancy; the high prevalence of CKD (3-6%) in women of childbearing age is of particular relevance in emerging countries where CKD prevalence is higher and resources are limited. Although CKD is a public health problem in Mexico, there is scant information on outcomes in pregnant CKD women in this country. We report maternal-fetal outcomes in a prospective cohort of poor, CKD pregnant women, and compare results with those of pregnant women without CKD. METHODS: A prospective study of pregnant CKD women referred to a public obstetrics/nephrology clinic from July 2013 to December 2017; sociodemographic and clinical data, including complications and perinatal outcomes, were recorded. CKD was defined at referral as per KDIGO guidelines; preeclampsia and superimposed preeclampsia were defined as appearance or worsening of hypertension and proteinuria. Findings were compared to official data for -Mexico and to a historic control of pregnant women without CKD who delivered at our hospital. RESULTS: Sixty-two pregnancies in CKD patients, age 23.4 ± 5.8 years were observed; 46.8% of patients were primiparous. At referral, serum creatinine was 1.8 (1.1-3.0) mg/dL with an estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 38.1 (21.9-68.0) mL/min/1.73 m2. In half of the cases, CKD was diagnosed during pregnancy. Forty-eight pregnant women without CKD, age 27 (22-34) years, who delivered during the study period were selected as controls: 33% were primiparous, serum creatinine was 0.50 (0.4-0.6) mg/dL, and estimate glomerular filtration rate was 135 (112-174) mL/min/1.73 m2. Twenty patients needed dialysis (HD-CKD): 2 were already on dialysis, and 18 began treatment during pregnancy; 42 CKD patients did not require dialysis (non-HD CKD). After delivery, 15 patients remained dialysis dependent while 5 did not. Preeclampsia was more frequent in CKD patients in comparison to controls. In total, 93% of CKD patients and 98% of controls delivered a live baby. Prematurity was more frequent in CKD patients than controls and was higher in HD-CKD than in non-HD CKD. Birth weight was lower in CKD when compared to controls. Logistic regression showed a higher risk of preeclampsia in CKD pregnancies than in controls, but it was not affected by age, parity, CKD stage, or need for dialysis during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Underserved CKD Mexican women have a high rate of adverse maternal-fetal outcomes during pregnancy. The risk may be higher in patients needing dialysis during pregnancy, many of whom remained dialysis dependent after delivery.