Illustration of a pregnant woman with a kidney symbol, representing kidney health after preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia and Your Kidneys: What to Expect Long-Term

Beau Callahan in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research sheds light on how preeclampsia affects kidney health years after pregnancy. Understanding the risks and what you can do."

Preeclampsia, a serious condition that can occur during pregnancy, affects between 3% and 10% of pregnancies. Characterized by high blood pressure and signs of organ damage, often involving the kidneys, it poses significant risks to both mother and baby. These risks include maternal death, preterm birth, and low birth weight.

While the immediate dangers of preeclampsia are well-known, the long-term consequences for a woman's kidney health are less clear. Emerging research suggests that preeclampsia might increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease later in life. This has prompted scientists to investigate how kidney function changes over time in women who have experienced preeclampsia.

This article breaks down a recent study that followed women with and without preeclampsia to track changes in their kidney function and specific markers of kidney damage over three years. We'll explore what the study found, what it means for your health, and steps you can take to protect your kidneys if you've had preeclampsia.

What Does Preeclampsia Do to Your Kidneys?

Illustration of a pregnant woman with a kidney symbol, representing kidney health after preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia primarily affects the glomeruli, which are tiny filters in the kidneys responsible for cleaning the blood. During preeclampsia, these filters can become damaged, leading to protein leaking into the urine (proteinuria). In severe cases, this damage can impair kidney function.

Researchers have been studying specific markers in the urine to assess kidney damage more accurately. One such marker is podocalyxin, a protein found in podocytes (specialized cells in the kidney's filters). Elevated levels of podocalyxin in the urine indicate podocyte damage, a key feature of kidney injury in preeclampsia.

High Blood Pressure: A key symptom that strains kidney function.
Proteinuria: Indicates damage to the kidney's filtering system.
Podocyte Damage: Measured by elevated urinary podocalyxin levels.

The study mentioned earlier aimed to understand how these markers change over time and whether they normalize after pregnancy. This helps determine if preeclampsia causes lasting kidney damage or if the kidneys can recover.

Protecting Your Kidney Health After Preeclampsia

While the study offers reassuring evidence that kidney function tends to normalize in many women after preeclampsia, it also highlights that some may experience persistent proteinuria. If you have a history of preeclampsia, it's crucial to take proactive steps to protect your kidney health: <ul> <li>Regular Check-ups: Schedule regular appointments with your doctor to monitor your blood pressure and kidney function.</li> <li>Healthy Lifestyle: Maintain a healthy weight, eat a balanced diet, and exercise regularly to support overall kidney health.</li> <li>Blood Pressure Control: Work with your doctor to manage your blood pressure through lifestyle changes or medication if needed.</li> <li>Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help your kidneys function properly.</li> </ul>

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

What is preeclampsia, and how does it impact the kidneys during pregnancy?

Preeclampsia is a serious condition that occurs during pregnancy, characterized by high blood pressure and signs of organ damage, often affecting the kidneys. This condition primarily damages the glomeruli, the tiny filters within the kidneys. This damage can lead to proteinuria, where protein leaks into the urine, and, in severe cases, can impair overall kidney function. These effects present risks to both mother and baby, which include maternal death, preterm birth, and low birth weight.

How does preeclampsia potentially cause kidney damage, and what specific markers are used to assess this damage?

Preeclampsia can damage the glomeruli, the kidney's filtering units, leading to impaired kidney function. Researchers use several markers to assess this damage. One key marker is proteinuria, the presence of protein in the urine, which indicates that the kidney filters are not working correctly. Another important marker is podocalyxin, a protein found in podocytes, which are specialized cells in the kidney's filters. Elevated levels of podocalyxin in the urine specifically indicate damage to these podocytes, highlighting kidney injury related to preeclampsia.

What are the long-term risks to kidney health after experiencing preeclampsia?

Emerging research suggests that preeclampsia might increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease later in life. While kidney function often normalizes after preeclampsia, some women may experience persistent proteinuria. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor kidney function long-term after preeclampsia.

What steps can I take to protect my kidney health if I have a history of preeclampsia?

If you have a history of preeclampsia, there are several steps you can take to protect your kidney health. First, schedule regular check-ups with your doctor to monitor your blood pressure and kidney function. Maintain a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight. It's also important to control your blood pressure through lifestyle changes or medication if needed. Finally, ensure you stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water to support your kidneys' proper function.

Why is it important to monitor podocalyxin levels after preeclampsia, and what does this marker tell us about kidney health?

Monitoring podocalyxin levels after preeclampsia is crucial because it directly indicates damage to the podocytes, specialized cells within the kidney's filtering units. Elevated levels of podocalyxin in the urine signal podocyte damage, a key feature of kidney injury associated with preeclampsia. By tracking podocalyxin, healthcare providers can assess the extent of kidney damage and monitor whether the kidneys are recovering or if there is persistent injury, helping to guide appropriate interventions and care. This marker provides a more precise understanding of the kidney's condition beyond general tests like proteinuria.