Changes in renal volume during normal pregnancy.
Twenty-four healthy pregnant women with a normal pregnancy demonstrated a significant uniform enlargement of both kidneys. The renal volumes increased by a maximum of 30% during pregnancy. However, this could not be attributed to hydronephrosis, as the patients were selected in such a way that none with pelvectasia participated in the study. All regained normal renal volume within the first week after delivery. It is well known that a glomerular hyperfiltration takes place during normal pregnancy. Possible pathogenetic mechanisms are discussed.
Christensen
T
T
Department of Diagnostic Radiology R, Municipal Hospital of Aarhus, University of Aarhus, Denmark.
Klebe
J G
JG
Bertelsen
V
V
Hansen
H E
HE
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006869:Hydronephrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007668:Kidney / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal