Children born to mothers receiving chronic dialysis, a national French cohort (2013-2021).

BACKGROUND

Paediatric data of children born to mothers receiving chronic dialysis are scarce, although this information is essential to study the possible risk of morbidity related to intrauterine exposure to uraemic toxins and maternal therapies. Our aim was to examine the impact of this exposure on the short- and mid-term outcomes of children.

METHODS

This national observational study was based on data from the French National Health Data System.

RESULTS

In France, over the period 2013-2021, 70 live births were born to mothers receiving chronic dialysis. The median gestational age was 37 weeks [interquartile range (IQR) 33-39], including 40 (57.1%) full-term and 30 (42.9%) preterm births. The median birthweight was 2615 g (IQR 1941-3448) and 32 (45.7%) newborns had a birthweight <2500 g. Other neonatal complications were respiratory distress syndrome [n = 5 (7.1%)], small for gestational age [n = 2 (2.8%) and admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit [n = 5 (7.1%)]. From birth to 8 years of age, the main diseases were those of the respiratory system [n = 31 (44.2%)], including acute bronchiolitis [n = 22 (31.4%)]; diseases and infections of the digestive system [n = 22 (31.4%)], including enteritis and gastroenteritis [n = 14 (20%)]; diseases of the urinary system [n = 7 (10%)], including tubulointerstitial nephritis [n = 5 (7.1%)]; and congenital malformations [n = 17 (24.2%)], including 9 cardiac (12.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the risk of morbidity in children born to mothers on chronic dialysis. Further larger studies are required to confirm the relatively high frequency of congenital malformations.