History of Kidney Stones may Cause Issues in Pregnancy

Women with a history of kidney stones may have metabolic or hypertensive problems during pregnancy

Highlights

Pregnant women with history of kidney stones may have metabolic and hypertensive complications during pregnancy
Kidney stone formation has been associated with greater risk of hypertension, diabetes and metabolic disorders
Gestational diabetes and hypertension have also been associated with the mothers who have had a kidney stone
There was also an increased risk of preterm delivery and pre eclampsia among these pregnant women with kidney stones//

History of kidney stones in women can cause certain metabolic and hypertensive ( high blood pressure ) issues during pregnancy, they have also been associated with a few systemic diseases such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, found a new observational study. This observational study will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2017 October 31-November 5 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA.

Kidney Stones and it’s Associations with Complications

Kidney stones have been linked with an increased risk of developing hypertension, diabetes, and the metabolic syndrome. Jessica Tangren, MD (Massachusetts General Hospital/Brigham and Women’s Hospital) and her colleagues looked to see if having kidney stones before pregnancy affects a woman’s risk of developing metabolic and hypertensive complications in pregnancy.

Kidney Stones during Pregnancy
Urolithiasis is a condition where stones ranging from microscopic sizes to large ones are found in the kidney, ureters or in the urinary bladder.

‘The risk of developing a hypertensive complication in pregnancy was especially high in women who had kidney stones and were overweight or obese at the start of pregnancy’

The study included women who delivered infants at the Massachusetts General Hospital from 2006 to 2016. Pregnancy outcomes in 174 women with documented stones were compared with 1330 women without stones. Women with pre-existing chronic kidney disease, hypertension, and diabetes were excluded.

Maximum systolic blood pressure in pregnancy was increased in stone formers vs. controls despite similar first-trimester blood pressure. Gestational diabetes and gestational hypertension were more common in stone formers (18% vs. 6% and 19% vs. 13%). After adjustments, stones were associated with increased risk of preterm delivery, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia.

Increased Risk of Hypertension and Diabetes in Pregnant Women due to Kidney Stones

Quiz on Kidney Stones
Kidney stones or calculus produces the most severe form of pain in humans. The pain has often been described to be worse than childbirth, broken bones, gunshot wounds, burns, or surgery. Once you form a kidney stone you are always susceptible to another stone. Take this quiz to find out how much do you know about stone disease. Once you complete find out how you fared compared to others who have taken the quiz.

"The risk of developing a hypertensive complication in pregnancy was especially high in women who had kidney stones and were overweight or obese at the start of pregnancy," said Dr. Tangren.

"We did not identify increased risk for fetal complications such as intrauterine growth restriction or need for neonatal intensive care amongst stone formers." She noted that due to the increasing incidence of stone disease in young women, further research aimed at identifying modifiable risk factors and novel treatment and prevention strategies should be encouraged.

Diet for Kidney Stones
Diet for kidney stone should comprise of calcium-rich foods, increased fluid intake. Other dietary recommendations depends on the type of kidney stone.

Reference

A History of Kidney Stones May Contribute to Certain Complications During Pregnancy

(http://www.newswise.com/articles/a-history-of-kidney-stones-may-contribute-to-certain-complications-during-pregnancy)