Renal function after preeclampsia: a longitudinal pilot study

BACKGROUND: Women with a history of preeclampsia are at increased risk to develop end-stage renal disease. In this longitudinal study, we evaluated renal function in women with a history of severe preeclampsia and parous controls over a period of 14 years. METHODS: Renal function was measured 1 and then 14 years postpartum by para-aminohippurate and inulin clearances in 20 women with a history of severe preeclampsia and 8 parous controls. RESULTS: The difference in glomerular filtration rate 1 year postpartum between women with a history of preeclampsia and parous controls (112 +/- 10 and 125 +/- 8 ml/min/1.73 m(2), p < 0.01) had disappeared 14 years postpartum (104 +/- 10 and 109 +/- 13 ml/min/1.73 m(2), p = 0.37). There was a consistent trend for a lower effective renal plasma flow both 1 and 14 years postpartum (477 +/- 90 and 543 +/- 92, p = 0.09 and 473 +/- 85 and 543 +/- 98 ml/min/1.73 m(2), p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: This explorative study suggests no accelerated renal function loss in the first decade after preeclampsia