Pregnancy during dialysis. Experience in six patients

Background: The frequency of pregnancies during dialysis is increasing. This condition requires changes in the dialysis schedule and nutritional approach. Aim: To report the experience in six patients with terminal kidney disease who became pregnant. Material and Methods: Retrospective review of medical records of women with terminal kidney disease in dialysis who became pregnant in a period of 27 years. Results: We recorded six successful pregnancies among women in hemodialysis treatment aged 32 ± 4 years. The mean dialysis-time per week was 19.5 ± 2.7 hours and Kt/V was 1.55 ± 0.17. The mean systolic blood pressure was 130 ± 13.3 mmHg. The mean packed cell volume of the group increased from 22.7% during pregestational stage to 30.2% during third trimester of pregnancy. All patients received an intensive treatment for anemia. The most common symptom of pregnancy was hyperemesis. The mean gestational age (GA) at diagnosis was 13.4 ± 4.7 weeks. All patients had preterm deliveries at a GA of 33 ± 1.7 weeks, and 66% of offspring were appropriate for gestational age. Conclusions: A multidisciplinary approach allows high rate of successful pregnancies during hemodialysis.