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Kidney Donation and Pregnancy: What You Need to Know About the Risks

Theo Raines in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 4 min read.

"A new study sheds light on the potential risks of pregnancy after kidney donation, particularly for younger women. Here’s a breakdown of the findings and what they mean for prospective mothers."

Live kidney donation offers a lifeline to individuals suffering from kidney failure, providing a chance at a healthier, more fulfilling life. However, the decision to become a living donor is a significant one, requiring careful consideration of the potential benefits and risks. Among the key concerns for female kidney donors is the impact of donation on future pregnancies.

For years, medical professionals and potential donors have grappled with questions about the safety and potential complications of pregnancy after kidney donation. While kidney donation is a generous act, it's essential to understand how it might affect a woman's ability to conceive, carry a pregnancy to term, and deliver a healthy baby. The available data has often been limited and sometimes conflicting, leaving many uncertainties.

A recent study published in the journal Clinical Transplantation aimed to provide clarity on this important issue. Researchers delved into the potential risks of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes in women who have donated a kidney, offering valuable insights for those considering donation or planning a pregnancy after donation. This article breaks down the key findings of the study and discusses what they mean for women's health.

Unpacking the Study: What Did Researchers Investigate?

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The researchers conducted a matched cohort study, a type of observational study that compares a group of individuals with a specific characteristic (in this case, kidney donors) to a similar group without that characteristic (non-donors). They utilized data from the Intermountain Healthcare Enterprise Data Warehouse, a comprehensive database containing electronic health and administrative information.

The study included 59 women with a history of kidney donation prior to their first pregnancy. These women were carefully matched with 236 women who had not donated a kidney, based on age (within two years) and race. All participants had normal kidney function and no history of kidney disease, diabetes, or chronic hypertension. The researchers then compared the rates of various adverse pregnancy outcomes between the two groups.

Preterm delivery (delivery before 37 weeks of gestation)
Delivery via cesarean section
Longer length of stay in the hospital (more than 3 days)
Gestational hypertension (new-onset high blood pressure during pregnancy)
Preeclampsia/eclampsia (a serious pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and organ damage)
Gestational diabetes (diabetes that develops during pregnancy)
Infant death/transfer to an acute care facility
Low infant birth weight (less than 2,500 grams)

By comparing these outcomes, the researchers hoped to determine whether kidney donation was associated with an increased risk of complications during pregnancy.

Making Informed Decisions: What Does This Mean for You?

The decision to donate a kidney is a personal one, and it's important to weigh the potential risks and benefits carefully. If you are considering kidney donation and are of childbearing age, this study provides valuable information to help you make an informed decision. While the overall risk of pregnancy complications after kidney donation appears to be small, the increased risk of preeclampsia in younger donors is something to discuss with your doctor.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

What are the key considerations for women contemplating kidney donation who may want to have children in the future?

For women considering kidney donation, the impact on future pregnancies is a critical factor. The decision to donate requires weighing the benefits of providing a life-saving organ with the potential risks to the donor's own health, particularly regarding their ability to conceive, carry a pregnancy to term, and deliver a healthy baby. Medical professionals and potential donors have long sought clarity on the safety and potential complications of pregnancy after kidney donation, making it essential to understand all associated outcomes.

What did the Clinical Transplantation study investigate regarding pregnancy after kidney donation?

The study published in the journal *Clinical Transplantation* aimed to provide clarity on the potential risks of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes in women who have donated a kidney. Researchers used a matched cohort study design to compare a group of women who had donated a kidney with a similar group who had not. They examined the rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm delivery, cesarean section, hospital length of stay, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia/eclampsia, gestational diabetes, infant death/transfer to an acute care facility, and low infant birth weight.

How did the researchers conduct the study to assess the risks of pregnancy after kidney donation?

Researchers conducted a matched cohort study, a type of observational study, using data from the Intermountain Healthcare Enterprise Data Warehouse. They compared 59 women with a history of kidney donation prior to their first pregnancy with 236 women who had not donated a kidney. The groups were matched based on age (within two years) and race. All participants had normal kidney function, and no history of kidney disease, diabetes, or chronic hypertension. The researchers compared rates of various adverse pregnancy outcomes between the two groups to determine if kidney donation was associated with increased risk.

What specific adverse pregnancy outcomes were examined in the study?

The study investigated several adverse pregnancy outcomes. These included preterm delivery (delivery before 37 weeks), delivery via cesarean section, longer hospital stays (more than 3 days), gestational hypertension, preeclampsia/eclampsia, gestational diabetes, infant death or transfer to an acute care facility, and low infant birth weight (less than 2,500 grams). By examining these outcomes, the researchers aimed to determine if kidney donation increased the risk of these complications.

What does this study's findings mean for women considering kidney donation, especially those of childbearing age?

The study provides valuable information for women of childbearing age who are considering kidney donation. While the overall risk of pregnancy complications after kidney donation may appear small, it is crucial to discuss the increased risk of preeclampsia, particularly for younger donors, with your doctor. The decision to donate a kidney is personal, and making an informed choice requires careful consideration of both potential benefits and risks based on current research and medical guidance.