title: Timing, conditions, and complications of post-operative conception and pregnancy in female renal transplant recipients.
abstract: The aim of this study was to explore the timing, conditions, and complications of post-operative conception and pregnancy among female renal transplant recipients in China. A cohort of 25 female renal transplant recipients who subsequently had successful pregnancies was randomly selected from eight organ transplantation centers in China. In this cohort, there were 38 post-transplant conceptions and 25 live births. The effects of conception and pregnancy on renal function as well as any effects of transplantation on delivery, prematurity, and maternal and infant health were investigated. Out of 38 conceptions after transplantation, seven ended in spontaneous abortion, six in artificial abortion, and 25 in single births, seven of which were premature (28%). The growth and development of all of the infants were normal. All the 25 received artificial (formula) feeding. Six patients had to return to hemodialysis therapy at 1-41 months after conception due to reduced function of the transplanted kidney. It appears best for female renal transplant recipients to wait at least for 2 years post-transplant before pregnancy. We found no significant effect on fetal growth and development. The incidence of premature births among female renal transplant recipients was high which might have an effect on transplant renal function and maternal health. Breast feeding is not considered suitable for these patients and was therefore not studied.
authors.affiliation: Center for Renal Transplantation, Jiulisong Hospital, Hangzhou, China. xulonggen88@sina.com
authors.forename: Long-gen
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Shu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Hong-wei
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yi-rong
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Wan-ling
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Li-gong
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D050498:Live Birth; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult