The sonographic appearance of renal transplants during pregnancy

Abstract

This study evaluates the sonographic appearance of renal allografts during pregnancy. Baseline and intrapartum sonograms and serum creatinine levels from 19 women with 24 pregnancies were evaluated. In 15 of the 22 pregnancies with more than one examination, renal dilatation increased during gestation. The degree of dilatation was minimal to mild, with moderate dilatation present only in the third trimester. There were no cases of severe dilatation. Change in renal dilatation was seen in eight of eight patients with normal renal function, four of six patients with moderate renal impairment, and in zero of two patients with severe renal impairment. Normal transplant morphology or a single abnormal criterion was found in 23 of 24 pregnancies. Transplant morphology is not affected by pregnancy. Renal allografts in asymptomatic patients frequently demonstrate minimal to mild dilatation during pregnancy. The ability of the transplant kidney to dilate decreases with worsening renal function.