Pregnancy in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis

Women with chronic kidney disease are less likely to become pregnant and are more susceptible to pregnancy complications when compared to patients with normal kidney function. As a result, these are considered high-risk pregnancies, both maternal and fetal. Over the years, there has been an increase in the incidence of pregnancies in dialysis patients, and an improvement in maternal and fetal outcomes. It is believed that the optimization of obstetric and neonatal care, the adjustment of dialysis treatment (particularly the increase in the number of hours and weekly frequency of dialysis sessions), and the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents have provided better metabolic, volume, blood pressure, electrolyte, and anemia control. This review article aims to analyze pregnancy outcomes in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing dialysis and to review nephrological medical management in this scenario. Due to the growing interest in the subject, clinical recommendations for care practice have become more consistent in both drug and dialysis management, aspects that are addressed in this review.

Keywords:
Chronic Kidney Disease; Dialysis; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Preeclampsia