Pregnancy in patients requiring peritoneal dialysis

Abstract

Pregnancy is an unusual event in women with end stage renal failure. In a study of 1281 women of childbearing age cared for in 260 dialysis units in the States over a 2 years study period, only 1.5 per cent of them became pregnant, and only 37 per cent of them had a livebirth. Fetal loss is very common in this group of patients, but has been seldom reported. Most reports are skewed in favour of a positive outcome as investigators tend to report their success rather than failures. In the past 10 years, we have managed three pregnant patients who required dialysis and they all lost their fetuses during the second trimester. Hence we report our experience and review the reports on successful pregnancies. The problems of management are discussed.