Pregnancy is associated with a permanent decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 0-10% in women with normal to mildly reduced GFR (plasma creatinine less than 1.5 mg/dL) at pregnancy onset. Renal function declines as a result of pregnancy depending on the severity and the underlying disease. Major risk factors for chronic deterioration of kidney function are elevated plasma creatinine (Cr) levels (above 1.5 mg/dL) and hypertension. The risk for irreversible decline exceeds 50% in women with uncontrolled blood pressure (August, Vella, & Sayegh, 2007).
In June 2007, at 18 weeks gestation, a 29-year-old Vietnamese female was diagnosed with IGA nephropathy after renal ...