Changing Dialysis Modality during Pregnancy: A Case Report

Abstract

Pregnancy in patients with end-stage renal disease is rare, with a paucity of management guidelines in the literature. Various hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) protocols have been used to successfully manage pregnancy in this population; however, there is a growing body of evidence that the best maternal and fetal outcomes are associated with intensified, high-dose HD. The optimal timing of transition from PD to HD is not known for prevalent PD patients who become pregnant. We report the case of a 32-year-old aboriginal female who became pregnant while being treated with chronic PD. She was converted to intensive HD early in the second trimester and underwent a planned caesarian section at 36 weeks with excellent outcomes for mother and child.