ASN's Mission

To create a world without kidney diseases, the ASN Alliance for Kidney Health elevates care by educating and informing, driving breakthroughs and innovation, and advocating for policies that create transformative changes in kidney medicine throughout the world.

learn more

Contact ASN

1401 H St, NW, Ste 900, Washington, DC 20005

email@asn-online.org

202-640-4660

The Latest on X

Kidney Week

Abstract: FR-OR009

Etiologies and Outcomes of Pregnancy-Related AKI in a US Quaternary Obstetric Population: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Session Information

Category: Acute Kidney Injury

  • 102 AKI: Clinical, Outcomes, and Trials

Authors

  • Kashani, Mehdi, Mayo Clinic Minnesota, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
  • Dilmaghani, Darah, Mayo Clinic Minnesota, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
  • Garovic, Vesna D., Mayo Clinic Minnesota, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
  • Jordan, Deondre, Mayo Clinic Minnesota, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
  • Kashani, Kianoush, Mayo Clinic Minnesota, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
Background

Pregnancy-related acute kidney injury (PRAKI) is a serious complication with implications for both maternal and fetal health. While data from low-resource settings are abundant, limited evidence exists from high-income health systems. This study evaluated the risk factors and clinical outcomes associated with PRAKI in a large obstetric cohort at a U.S. quaternary care center.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of 42,000 deliveries within the Mayo Clinic network. A validated electronic screening tool identified AKI cases based on serum creatinine and, when available, urine output. We compared maternal characteristics, comorbidities, and outcomes between patients with and without AKI. Primary outcomes included major adverse kidney events (MAKE: death, persistent kidney dysfunction, or dialysis at 30/90 days). Secondary outcomes included neonatal ICU (NICU) admissions and long-term maternal dialysis or infertility.

Results

Among 29,586 obstetric patients, 341 (1.15%) developed AKI. Patients with AKI were older (30.3 vs. 29.3 years, p=0.004), had higher comorbidity burden (Charlson 0.56 vs. 0.19, p<0.0001), and earlier deliveries (255 vs. 272 days, p<0.0001). Chronic hypertension (28.7% vs. 5.2%) and gestational hypertension (37.8% vs. 14.7%) were significantly more common in the AKI group (p<0.0001). They also had greater exposure to nephrotoxic drugs (58.7% vs. 31.6%, p<0.0001) and more postpartum metabolic disturbances.
AKI was associated with worse kidney outcomes: persistent dysfunction (2.4% vs. 0.1%), dialysis at discharge (1.2% vs. 0.003%), and dialysis at 30 and 90 days (0.88% vs. 0%, all p<0.0001). Neonates of AKI mothers had higher NICU admission rates (48.7% vs. 9.8%, p<0.0001). Maternal mortality was also higher (0.88% vs. 0.12%, p=0.0088).

Conclusion

In this large U.S. cohort, PRAKI was strongly associated with comorbidities, hypertensive disorders, and adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. These findings emphasize the need for early recognition and multidisciplinary management of high-risk pregnancies to reduce avoidable complications.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)