Maternal Renal Dysfunction in Late Pregnancy in Twin and Singleton Pregnancies: Retrospective Study

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the differences in the impact on maternal renal function between singleton and twin pregnancies in the second half of pregnancy. It retrospectively enrolled 1711 pregnant women consisting of 1547 singleton pregnancies and 164 twin pregnancies from Japanese Red Cross Aichi Medical Center Nagoya Daiichi Hospital from January 2019 to June 2021. Patients underwent renal function tests (serum blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)) at least one month before delivery. The main outcome measure was maternal renal dysfunction, defined as a serum creatinine level above 0.8 mg/dL. The serum creatinine level was significantly higher and the eGFR was significantly lower in twin than in singleton pregnancies (p < 0.001). In addition, the rate of renal dysfunction was significantly higher in twin than in singleton pregnancies (7.9% vs. 2.6%; p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that twin pregnancy (odds ratio (OR) 3.38), nulliparity (OR 2.31), and preeclampsia (OR 3.64) were significant risk factors for maternal renal dysfunction. Maternal renal dysfunction was observed in 13 twin pregnancies, all of which recovered to within normal limits during the early months of the postpartum period. Twin pregnancy is a significant risk factor for maternal renal dysfunction; renal function should be carefully monitored in twin pregnancies.