Obstetric acute renal failure 1956–1987

Summary. A total of 142 women with severe acute renal failure (ARF) resulting from obstetric causes was treated by dialysis at a single centre from 1956 to 1987. One-year survival was 78·6%, which compares favourably with other causes of ARF. Abortion, haemorrhage and preeclampsia comprised 95% of cases, with survival being best (82·9%) with abortion. Survival was adversely affected by increasing age. Acute cortical necrosis (12·7% of patients) carried 100% mortality after 6 years. Follow-up of survivors showed normal renal function up to 31 years following ARF; 25-year patient survival was 71·6%. Improvements in obstetric care and the disappearance of illegal abortions have resulted in a dramatic decline in the incidence of obstetric ARF.