A NEPHROLOGIST'S LOOK AT HYPERTENSIVE DISORDERS OF PREGNANCY

Abstract Background and Aims Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-related syndrome of variable severity that falls under the broad category of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). The relationship between PE and chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not entirely understood. Once considered a self-limited disease healed by delivery, it is now acknowledged that PE is a marker of cardiovascular and kidney health in the long term. The aim of this study was to review the data of women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy at our institution, to identify need and to organize a conjoint nephrology and obstetrical activity in our setting Method We retrospectively reviewed all the medical charts of the patients hospitalized in the last two years for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and who delivered in our Hospital. The cohort was divided into two groups: gestational hypertension (GH) and PE. A descriptive analysis of the clinical-laboratoristic was performed (t-test for continuous data with normal distribution). Results We identified 93 cases of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy on a total of 3279 deliveries (2.8%), 47 GH and 46 PE [2 cases of HELLP syndrome and 1 of eclampsia included in the PE group]. These two groups showed similar mean age: 33.5±6 vs 34.9±6 years (p value= 0.25); serum creatinine (sCr) and uric acid at admission were statistically different, and higher in the PE group (sCr 0.57±0.15 and 0.66±0.2 – p=0.01 and uric acid 4.5±1.38 and 5.6±1.47 – p=0.01). Comorbidities were frequent in the PE group: thyroid disfunction was found in 17% of cases (7 hypothyroidism and 1 hyperthyroidism, all under treatment), coagulation abnormalities were present in 15% of cases (4 MTHFR mutation, 1 protein S deficiency, 1 prothrombin-gene mutation, 1 patient was positive for LLAC); gestational diabetes was diagnosed in 13% of the cases. We identified 1 renal transplant recipient, 1 IgA-vasculitis patient, 1 patient with family medical history positive for PE (in her twin sister); none of these patients had been identified as at high risk for PE. At hospital admission, 54% of the patients were on antihypertensive treatment, 7 of them for chronic hypertension and 18 for gestational hypertension (12 of these patients underwent a previous hospitalization during the same pregnancy, diagnosed with gestational hypertension); at admission only 24% of PE patients were treated with anticoagulant or antiplatelet prophylaxis. Caesarean section was performed in 36 cases (78%). All but one children live-born, the exception being a child from a multiple pregnancy (quadruplets). Conclusion A multidisciplinary approach and a nephrological follow-up are increasingly indicated in PE. Our series underlines a high prevalence of comorbidity or risk factors, including thyroid disfunction, gestational diabetes and coagulation abnormalities. The high prevalence (7/46) of chronic hypertension and the fact that the two patients with kidney disease were not identified as at risk for PE underlines the potential role for developing a synergic approach between nephrologist and obstetricians.