News & Events

• A woman in her 30s, had previously undergone termination for pregnancy elsewhere, owing to Kidney Failure.
• With meticulous care and planning she underwent a successful pregnancy and delivered a healthy baby girl at Kauvery Hospital.

Chennai, 20^th  June 2024: Kauvery Hospital Alwarpet, a unit of the Kauvery Group of Hospitals, a leading multispecialty healthcare chain in Tamil Nadu, successfully enabled a woman with kidney failure to have a successful pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby girl.

The woman, in her 30s, had previously undergone pregnancy termination at another hospital due to her kidney condition. She presented at Kauvery Hospital with concerns about her kidney health, including slightly elevated creatinine levels, protein leakage in the urine, and blood pressure issues. Recently married and hoping to start a family, she faced obstacles when two hospitals advised terminating her pregnancy due to the high risks associated with her kidney condition. She was also advised that pregnancy might not be possible. After considering multiple options, including adoption, she sought an opinion at Kauvery Hospital.

Contrary to previous recommendations, it was determined that her kidney function, though compromised, was manageable. Despite exhibiting protein leakage of less than 1g per day, well-controlled blood pressure with medication, and a creatinine level indicative of stage 3 kidney disease (1.5 mg/dL), she was informed of the potential but manageable risks associated with pregnancy.

Dr. R. Balasubramaniyam, Chief Nephrologist at Kauvery Hospital Alwarpet, said, “It was important to note that if she could not plan for pregnancy now, she might have to wait for her disease to progress and undergo a successful transplant, which could take another 10-15 years. During this phase, she would not be able to undergo pregnancy. Therefore, she was advised to go ahead with starting her family and was assured the best of health during this period.”

There was no absolute contraindication for a kidney disease patient to become a mother. The normal belief is that with similar parameters, pregnancy is possible, although there could be a higher risk of high blood pressure. Throughout her 36-week pregnancy, she received meticulous monitoring and care, ensuring the optimal health of both mother and baby.

Despite concerns about potential complications such as high blood pressure, her pregnancy progressed smoothly. Her blood pressure remained stable, protein leakage was consistent, and creatinine levels did not significantly increase. Ultimately, she delivered a healthy baby girl via cesarean section.

“This case highlights an important message for individuals with kidney disease contemplating pregnancy. While there are increased risks associated with pregnancy in such cases, with careful monitoring and management, it is possible to navigate through pregnancy successfully. This also emphasizes the importance of individualized care and shared decision-making when addressing complex medical situations. With proper guidance and understanding of the risks involved, patients can make informed choices regarding their reproductive health,” added Dr. Balasubramaniyam.

Dr. Aravindan Selvaraj, Executive Director & Co-founder of Kauvery Group of Hospitals, said, “We believe in overcoming challenges and achieving positive outcomes for those who have lost hope or faced roadblocks. With an expert team and advanced treatment, it is possible to treat conditions of varying degrees of risk. This story of restoring hope in a woman who wanted to be a mother highlights the importance of expert care. We congratulate Dr. R. Balasubramaniyam and his team for providing the right medical guidance and restoring hope in individuals who aspire to live a full life.”