Neonatal Outcomes of Infants Born to Women on Hemodialysis: A Single-Center, Case-Control Study

Abstract

Objective The study aimed to investigate the neonatal outcomes of infants born to mothers on hemodialysis.

Study Design This retrospective, case-control, and observational study included 17 infants born to 16 mothers on dialysis in 2003 to 2016. We compared their clinical characteristics to those of 51 gestational age- and sex-matched control infants. Statistical comparisons were made between the two groups by using the Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney test for continuous variables and the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables.

Results Of the 16 pregnancies of mothers on dialysis, 15 (94%) deliveries were premature (<37 weeks), and 16/17 (94%) infants survived to discharge. The incidences of neonatal complications, such as intraventricular hemorrhage, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosus, and periventricular leukomalacia, were not significantly different between the groups. However, 5/17 (29%) of the infants had congenital anomalies.

Conclusion Although infants born to mothers on dialysis have a high risk of prematurity, they do not have any additional risk of neonatal complications, except for congenital anomalies. The potential risk of congenital anomalies should be investigated further.

Key Points

• Preterm birth rate among mothers on hemodialysis was 94%.

• Complications in these infants were similar to controls.

• Twenty-nine percent of infants had congenital anomalies.

Keywords

dialysis - high-risk pregnancy - neonatal diseases - premature infant - congenital abnormalities

Authors' Contributions

K.I. designed the study, collected clinical data, drafted the initial manuscript, and revised the manuscript. M.O. reviewed and revised the manuscript for obstetrical content. K.T. assisted in data interpretation and revised the manuscript for content regarding kidney disease and hemodialysis. M.W. and S.K. coordinated and supervised the study and critically reviewed the manuscript.

Publication History

Received: 27 October 2020

Accepted: 23 April 2021

Article published online:
31 May 2021

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