Assessment of children born to mothers who are renal allograft recipients

Objective: To assess the neonatal, current physical status, renal and developmental assessment of children born to renal allograft recipients (RAR) and to assess the psychological impact of successful childbirth on RAR and their families.

Method: A cross-sectional prevalence survey of children born to female RAR was performed. Data of newborn and mothers were collected using hospital records and parental questionnaire. Infants were subjected to physical examination, developmental assessment, urinalysis and ultrasound. Psychological impact on mothers and families was recorded.

Results: Four children born to 4 female RAR formed the study group. Two RAR had history of abortions. All RAR underwent lower segment caesarean sections. Two children were preterm and 2 were small for gestational age. Mean current age of infants was 13.3 months and mean birth weight was 2052.5g. General health, physical assessment and development were unremarkable in all. All mothers were apprehensive of renal disease in their children despite normal renal function. No congenital anomalies were noted. There was no maternal or neonatal mortality. Mothers and families were happy and fulfilled with childbirth.

Conclusions: Childbirth in RAR with stable graft function improves social quality of life of families. Post-natal progress is not adversely influenced by immunosuppression of RAR. However, preterm-delivery and intrauterine growth retardation remain risk factors.

(Key words: Renal transplant; renal allograft recipient; pregnancy; newborn; preterm delivery; intra uterine growth retardation)

Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2014; 43(1): 27-32

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sljch.v43i1.6658