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Obstetric and Gynecologic Nephrology pp 1–10Cite as

Renal Physiology in Pregnancy

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Abstract

Pregnancy produces changes in the circulatory, renal, and urinary collection systems which support the developing fetus. There is physiologic dilatation of the urinary collecting system. There is systemic vasodilation, leading to decreased systemic vascular resistance, increased cardiac output, activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and plasma volume expansion. Renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate rise, with a resultant fall in the serum creatinine concentration. Urinary excretion of protein, glucose, and amino acids increases. Electrolyte and acid-base alterations include a chronic respiratory alkalosis and mild hypoosmolarity with hyponatremia. This chapter summarizes the mechanisms and clinical implications of these physiologic changes in pregnancy.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, PA, USA

    Sharon Maynard

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  1. Sharon Maynard
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Correspondence to Sharon Maynard .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Kidney Diseases and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Northwell Health System, Great Neck, NY, USA

    Mala Sachdeva

  2. Division of Kidney Diseases and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Northwell Health System, Great Neck, NY, USA

    Ilene Miller

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Maynard, S. (2020). Renal Physiology in Pregnancy. In: Sachdeva, M., Miller, I. (eds) Obstetric and Gynecologic Nephrology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25324-0_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25324-0_1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-25323-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-25324-0

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