Pregnancy in women with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD)

Abstract

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is one of the most common genetic diseases, with an incidence of 1/1,000 live births, and represents the main genetic cause of chronic kidney disease of the adult. A woman with ADPKD that is planning a pregnancy should be aware that both mother and fetus may be susceptible to several risks that must be carefully identified and balanced in time, in order to determine a smooth and conscious pregnancy. The contribution of a multidisciplinary team allows, through recommendations and common lines of thought, to establish an appropriate counseling and improve both maternal and fetal outcomes and nephropathy. This article presents a review of the literature on pregnancy in women with ADPKD, with particular attention to the risks for the mother and the fetus. Finally, an emblematic and successful case of a pregnancy in a woman with ADPKD is reported.