持续肾替代治疗在肝移植术后急性肾损伤的应用

目的 探讨持续肾替代治疗(CRRT)对肝移植术后急性肾损伤的治疗效果.方法 回顾性分析82例肝移植围手术期应用CRRT患者的肾功能情况,对其治疗前后的主要指标进行检测.结果 与治疗前比较,治疗后患者丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、总胆红素(TBil)、血尿素氮(BUN)、肌酐(Cr)、肌酸磷酸激酶(CPK)、C反应蛋白(CPR)、肌酐下降,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).与治疗前比较,CRRT治疗后患者血K+、Na+、Cl-、HCO3-、中心静脉压(CVP)显著好转,差异亦具有统计学意义(P＜0.05).其他生化指标与治疗前比较变化不大,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).对开始血滤治疗的时机进行研究显示,在急性肾损伤RIFLE分级Ⅰ级开始血滤治疗的患者肾功能恢复的比例明显高于在F级开始血滤治疗的患者(P＜0.05).结论 CRRT治疗能明显改善肝移植术后急性肾损伤患者的预后.     

Outcome of renal replacement therapy in the very elderly.

BACKGROUND: In a retrospective case-note and computer database analysis we assessed the outcome of very elderly patients (> or = 75 years old) with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on renal replacement therapy (RRT). METHODS: Fifty-eight individuals aged 75 or over (group 1) commenced RRT between 1 January 1991 and 31 December 1995. Comparisons were made with other patients commencing RRT who were divided into two groups: group 2 (201 individuals 65-74 years old) and group 3 (379 patients <65 years old). All subjects were followed up until the point of assessment (30 June 1998), the time of death, or withdrawal from dialysis. Survival rates in the three groups were compared using Kaplan-Meier method. The number of hospital admissions, length of in-patient stay, and complications rate on RRT were assessed for group 1. RESULTS: One-year survival rates in groups 1, 2 and 3 were 53.5, 72.6, and 90.6% respectively and the 5-year survival rates were 2.4, 18.8, and 61.4% respectively. The very elderly spent 20% of their time in hospital, 46% had two co-morbid factors at the outset, and 26% developed multiple complications while on RRT. Withdrawal from dialysis remained the most common cause of death in this group of individuals (38%), followed by cardiovascular causes (24%) and infections (22%). CONCLUSION: Very elderly ESRD patients on RRT have a very poor outcome and, since they are the largest growing group of RRT patients, this has important implications for future health policies.     

Confounding effect of comorbidity in survival studies in patients on renal replacement therapy.

BACKGROUND: After taking other confounding factors into account, the impact of comorbidity on mortality was investigated when comparing mortality between five European countries, dialysis modalities and renal disease groups. METHODS: The study included 15 571 incident patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT) from five national or regional registries participating in the European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association Registry that collect comorbidity data. The presence of diabetes mellitus, ischaemic heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, cerebrovascular disease and malignancy was recorded at the start of RRT. RESULTS: The comorbidities were each independently associated with mortality, with hazard ratios (HRs) ranging from 1.40 (95% CI: 1.30-1.51) for peripheral vascular disease to 1.65 (95% CI: 1.48-1.83) for diabetes. Age, gender, primary renal disease, modality and country together explained 14.4% of the variance in mortality; the comorbidities explained an additional 1.9%. In the comparison of renal vascular disease with glomerulonephritis, the crude HR of 2.40 (95% CI: 2.12-2.72) changed to 1.24 (95% CI: 1.09-1.41) after adjustment for age, gender, primary renal disease, treatment modality and country and to 1.06 (95% CI: 0.93-1.22) after further adjustment for the comorbidities. For the comparison between countries and other patient groups, the change in the survival estimate after adjustment for comorbidity was less. CONCLUSION: Comorbidity is an important predictor for mortality. However, after adjustment for age, gender, primary renal disease, treatment modality and country, when comparing outcomes between patient groups the influence of comorbidity may be less important than expected.     

Multi-centre evaluation of anticoagulation in patients receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT).

BACKGROUND: Heparin (hepACG) and regional citrate anticoagulation (citACG) remain the most commonly reported continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) ACG methods employed. No prospective multi-centre published data exist that compare different ACG methods with respect to CRRT filter life span or patient complications. METHODS: A total of 138 patients from seven US centres receiving 18 208 h of CRRT comprising a total of 442 CRRT circuits were utilized to assess filter life span and ACG-related complications in patients receiving CRRT with hepACG, citACG or no ACG (noACG). RESULTS: Mean circuit life was 41.2+/-30.8 h. Mean circuit survival was no different for circuits receiving hepACG (42.1+/-27.1 h) and citACG (44.7+/-35.9 h), but was significantly lower for circuits with noACG (27.2+/-21.5 h, P<0.005). Kaplan-Meier analyses revealed no survival difference between hepACG and citACG circuits, but significantly lower survival for noACG circuits (P<0.001). Log-rank analysis showed that 69% of hepACG and citACG circuits whereas only 28% of noACG were functional at 60 h. Clotting rates were similar for hepACG circuits (58 out of 230, 25%) and citACG circuits (43 out of 158, 27%), but were significantly higher for noACG circuits (27 out of 54, 50%, P < 0.001). Life-threatening bleeding complications attributable to ACG were noted in the hepACG group but were absent in the citACG group. CONCLUSIONS: The current analysis represents the largest evaluation of CRRT ACG methods to date. While the standard hepACG and citACG methods studied in the prospective paediatric CRRT registry led to similar filter life spans and were superior to noACG, our data suggest that citACG may result in less life-threatening complications.     

Survival on renal replacement therapy in Europe: is there a 'centre effect'?

OBJECTIVE.: Survival is the ultimate outcome measure in renal replacementtherapy (RRT) and may be used to compare performance among centres.Such comparison, however, is meaningless if the influences ofcomorbidity, age and early deaths are not considered. We thereforestudied survival rates on RRT in seven centres in Europe aftertaking into account the influence of age, early deaths, primaryrenal diagnoses, and comorbidity. DESIGN.: A retrospective survival analysis was carried out on 1407 patientswho commenced RRT in seven centres across five European countriesduring a 7-year period. Patients were stratified into low-,medium- and high-risk groups based mainly on comorbidity andto a lesser extent on age at commencement of RRT. Kaplan-Meiersurvival and Cox's proportional hazards model were used to comparesurvival. RESULTS.: Before risk stratification overall 2-year survival across theseven centres ranged from 60.2 to 85.3% (69.3–89.9% afterexcluding early deaths) masking a range of survivals of 27.4%for the high-risk group with the worst survival to 100% in thelow-risk group with the best survival. After excluding earlydeaths 2-year survival in the low risk groups (n=596) was greaterthan 90% in all centres. Multivariate analysis showed that themortality risk increased four fold from low- to medium- anda further 1.6-fold from medium- to high-risk group. However,despite this adjustment for comorbidity and age there stillremained a significant difference in survival among some centres,i.e. a ‘centre effect’ which ranked the centres. CONCLUSIONS.: Risk stratification diminishes the variance in survival betweencentres but a centre effect remains despite adjusting for ageand comorbidity. Multicentre prospective studies are urgentlyrequired to identify the reasons for this apparent centre effect.     

连续肾脏替代治疗在肝移植围手术期的应用

目的探讨连续肾脏替代治疗(continuousrenalreplacementtherapy,CRRT)对肝移植围手术期患者肾功能衰竭的预防作用。方法回顾性分析21例肝移植围手术期应用CRRT的患者的肾功能情况。结果所有行CRRT的患者血清肌酐值均有不同程度下降,21例患者中存活13例,死亡8例(38.1%)。其中有12例患者肾功能恢复,9例患者肾功能未恢复。肾功能恢复患者死亡率8.3%,未恢复患者死亡率77.8%,两者相比差异有统计学意义(χ2=5.838,P<0.05)。治疗期间无严重的并发症。结论CRRT是肝移植术后患者的肾脏替代治疗的首选,尽管如此在围手术期应用CRRT治疗的患者仍有较高的死亡率。     

Long-term renal and overall survival of critically ill patients with acute renal injury who received continuous renal replacement therapy

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with the increased short-term mortality of critically ill patients on continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). The aim of this research was to evaluate the association of kidney function at discharge with the long-term renal and overall survival of critically ill patients with AKI who were on CRRT in an intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: We retrospectively collected data for critically ill patients with AKI who were admitted to ICU on CRRT at a tertiary metropolitan hospital in China between 2008 and 2013. The patients were followed up to their death or to 30 September 2016 by telephone.

Results: A total of 403 patients were enrolled in this study. The 1-, 3- and 5-year patient survival rates were 64.3?±?2.4, 55.8?±?2.5 and 46.3?±?2.7%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, age, sepsis, decreased renal perfusion (including volume contraction, congestive heart failure, hypotension and cardiac arrest), preexisting kidney disease, Apache II score, Saps II score, vasopressors and eGFR <45?mL/min/1.73?m² at discharge were independent factors for worse long-term patient survival. And age, preexisting kidney disease, Apache II score, mechanical ventilation (MV) and eGFR <45?mL/min/1.73?m² at discharge were also associated with worse renal survival.

Conclusions: This study showed that impaired kidney function at discharge was shown to be an important risk factor affecting the long-term renal survival rates of critically ill patients with AKI. An eGFR <45?mL/min/1.73?m² was an independent risk factor for decreased overall survival and renal survival.     

间断性肾脏替代治疗重症急性胰腺炎的临床观察

目的：探讨间断血液滤过治疗对重症急性胰腺炎（SAP）的临床疗效。方法：分析我科自2008 年10月～2011 年11月21例SAP患者行间断血液滤过治疗的疗效。观察治疗前后患者的体温、心率、呼吸、血压,检测肝肾功能、氧合指数(PO2／FiO2)、电解质、葡萄糖、血常规,并行APACHEⅡ评分。结果：21例SAP患者存活18例,死亡3例;经IRRT治疗后APACHEⅡ评分明显下降（P＜0.05）,生命体征明显好转;生化指标明显改善（P＜0.05）。结论：常规综合治疗SAP同时,早期合理应用IRRT可以清除炎症介质,维持内环境稳定,改善脏器功能,提高疗效,为临床治疗SAP 提供一种重要辅助手段。     

The incidence of thrombocytopenia associated with continuous renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients

Abstract

Introduction: Thrombocytopenia in the intensive care unit (ICU) is a commonly experienced complication; the pathology is not always easily understood. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) provides a method to dialyze unstable critically ill patients. We hypothesized that CRRT may precipitate a form of thrombocytopenia. In trials thrombocytopenia occurred at rates as high as 70%. The etiology remains unknown and results in additional diagnostic workup, as well as possible drug therapy. The extent, duration and temporal relation of thrombocytopenia remain to be determined. Objectives: Identify a pattern in platelet fluctuations after the initiation of CRRT and its impact on health care. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in patients receiving CRRT for >24?h with no pre-existing thrombocytopenia. Patients initiated on CRRT had daily platelet counts monitored, and CRRT attributes and therapeutic interventions were collected. Platelets were assessed for time to nadir, degree of decline and time to return to baseline after discontinuation of CRRT. Results: Forty-nine patients met inclusion criteria. Thirty-seven percent of patients receiving heparinoids were tested for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), during CRRT, with 39% of these patients having therapy changed to non-heparinoid agents due to suspected HIT; no HIT antibodies were positive. Eleven patients (22%) receiving anticoagulants, prophylactically or therapeutically had them held for a drop in platelets. There was a mean decline in platelets of 48% with a mean of 4.6 days to the nadir. An average 2.48 days were observed until rebound to >150?×?10³/mm³. Statistical analysis failed to identify any patient attributes that correlated with the probability of thrombocytopenia. Conclusion: CRRT appears to be associated with a drop in platelets within the first 5 days of therapy with an average decline of 48%. However, platelets appear to return to >150?×?10³/mm³ after cessation of CRRT. This fluctuation should be considered in the setting of patients developing thrombocytopenia after initiation of CRRT.     

Problems and advantages of continuous renal replacement therapy*

SUMMARY: The continuous replacement of renal function must facilitate fluid and solute homeostasis, nutrition and vital organ function, and, where possible, hasten the recovery of renal function. Difficulties with anticoagulation, biocompatibility, mobility and cost remain obstacles to be overcome. the use of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) to remove systemic inflammatory mediators is yet to be confirmed. Although survival benefits of CRRT over intermittent dialysis remain controversial, the slow continuous removal of fluid, acid and solute has a number of advantages, especially where patients are haemodynamically unstable.     

The impact of renal replacement therapy before or after living donor liver transplantation

Ikegami T, Shirabe K, Soejima Y, Taketomi A, Yoshizumi T, Uchiyama H, Harada N, Maehara Y. The impact of renal replacement therapy before or after living donor liver transplantation.
Clin Transplant 2012: 26: 143–148.
© 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Introduction: The impact of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has not yet been investigated. Methods: Among 253 LDLT patients, RRT was started before (RRT‐Pre, n = 9), or after (RRT‐Post, n = 27) LDLT. The clinical outcomes were reviewed. Results: The one‐yr graft survival rate was 94.1% without RRT, and 63.9% and in those with RRT (p < 0.0001). Among the RRT patients, the RRT‐Pre patients exhibited acute liver failure, hepatorenal syndrome and high model for end‐stage liver disease score (35 ± 12), whereas the RRT‐Post patients had sepsis as a comorbidity. The one‐yr graft survival rate was 100.0% in the RRT‐Pre patients vs. 51.9% in the RRT‐Post patients (p < 0.01). The duration of RRT was significantly shorter in the RRT‐Pre patients than that in the RRT‐Post patients (5.3 ± 2.1 vs. 17.8 ± 14.1 d, p = 0.02). The mean duration between starting RRT and LDLT was 2.1 ± 0.7 d in the Pre‐RRT patients. Conclusion: The RRT‐Pre patients had excellent outcomes because the severe condition was primarily treated by LDLT after short‐term pre‐transplant RRT. Post‐transplant uncontrollable sepsis was the major cause of graft loss in patients who receive RRT after LDLT.     

Evolution of renal replacement therapy in East Germany from 1989 to 1992

Diminished availability of facilities for renal replacementtherapy is known to cause spuriously low acceptance and treatmentrates. In this context the evolution of renal replacement therapyin the former German Democratic Republic is a useful model tostudy and to quantify some of the relevant factors. We performed a survey in all dialysis units for adults in EastGermany (excluding East Berlin) by questionnaire, achievinga response rate of 97%. From December 1989 to December 1992the number of dialysis centres increased from 53 to 96 (+81%),reaching 6.7 centres p.m.p. Of these facilities, 45% were hospitalunits, 29% private units, and 26% dialysis units run by non-profithealth care organizations. The number of dialysis stations forregular dialysis treatment increased from 602 to 1276 (+112%),i.e. 89 stations p.m.p. In parallel, the number of chronic dialysispatients increased from 2127 to 3848 (+81%), i.e. 267 patientsp.m.p. A more detailed survey was carried out in Thüringen andpart of Sachsen, in a region covering 5 million inhabitants.The acceptance rate for chronic dialysis treatment has increasedfrom 49 to 107 patients p.m.p. (+115%). The average age of newpatients increased from 49 to 59 years, the proportion of patientsaged 65 years increased from 16 to 42% and the proportion ofdiabetics from 13 to 35%. Introduction of alternative treatmentmodalities became possible, with 2.3% of the patients receivinghaemofiltrations and 3% CAPD. The proportion of HBs-antigen-positivepatients decreased from 14.2% to 5%. At the end of 1989 in the former GDR (excluding East Berlin),773 patients and, at the end of 1992, 1153 patients were alivewith functioning renal transplants (+49%). The annual rate oftransplantations was 254 in 1989, and 283 in 1992 (+11%), i.e.18 transplantations p.m.p. (including East Berlin). At the end of 1989 2900 patients (193 p.m.p.), and at the endof 1992 5001 patients (347 p.m.p.), werealive on renal replacementtherapy (dialysis or functioning renal transplant) in East Germany,excluding East Berlin; this represents a 72% increase. The figures in East Germany are now almost equivalent to thosein West Germany regarding the number of admissions (incidence),whereas the number of patients on renal replacement therapyis still lower (prevalence).     

Continuous renal replacement therapy and plasma exchange in newborns and infants

The objective of our study was to present our experience in the treatment of small children with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and plasma exchange (PE). From March 1986 to April 2000, 21 critically ill children (14 newborns and 7 infants) with acute renal failure (ARF) and multiple organ failure were treated with CRRT and PE. In the newborn group, there were 8 males and 6 females, age 15.7 +/- 11.7 days, with body weights of 3,348 +/- 585 g. In the infant group, there were 4 males and 3 females, age 118 +/- 67 days, with body weights 5,186 +/- 734 g. The indications for the beginning of CRRT and/or PE were ARF with anuria and hyperhydration (17 patients), azotemia and anuria (1 patient), hemolytic uremic syndrome (1 patient), and hyperammonemia (2 patients). In all patients, peritoneal dialysis was considered inappropriate. PE and CRRT monitors were used, double lumen 5 Fr and 7 Fr hemodialysis catheters were the vascular access, low dose heparin and prostacyclin were anticoagulants, and lactate or bicarbonate buffered replacement solutions were used predilutionally. Side events were clotting within the extracorporeal circuit, catheter malfunction, serious hypotension (6 patients), and pulmonary edema (1 patient). Ten of 21 patients (47.6%) recovered renal function and 9 of 21 patients (42.9%) survived. Survivors had fewer failing organs (3.6 +/- 0.5) than nonsurvivors (4.8 +/- 0.9) (p = 0.0008). Pump driven CRRT and PE were feasible, efficient, and safe procedures in newborns and infants. Without CRRT, it is uncertain whether any of our patients would have the chance to survive.     

Agalsidase therapy in patients with Fabry disease on renal replacement therapy: a nationwide study in Italy.

BACKGROUND: In Fabry disease, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and severe neurologic and cardiac complications represent the leading causes of late morbidity and mortality. A comprehensive Italian nationwide survey study was conducted to explore changes in cardiac status and renal allograft function in Fabry patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT) and enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). METHODS: This study was designed as a cross-sectional survey study with prospective follow-up. Of the 34 patients identified via searches in registries, 31 males and 2 females who received RRT and ERT (agalsidase beta in 30 patients, agalsidase alpha in 3) were included. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI), interventricular septal thickness at end diastole (IVSD), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWT) and renal allograft function were assessed at ERT baseline and subsequently at yearly intervals. RESULTS: The patients in the dialysis and transplant groups had been started on dialysis at age 42.0 and 37.1 years (mean), respectively, and patients in the transplant group received their renal allograft at age 39.8 years (mean). The mean age at the start of ERT was similar, 44.1 and 44.6 years, respectively. The mean RRT follow-up was 61.1 and 110.6 months for dialysis and transplant patients, respectively, whereas the ERT duration was 45.1 and 48.4 months, respectively. Cardiac parameters increased in dialysis patients. In transplant patients, mean LVMI seemed to plateau during agalsidase therapy at a lower level as compared to baseline. Decline in renal allograft function was relatively mild (-1.92 ml/min/year). Agalsidase therapy was well tolerated. Serious ERT-unrelated events occurred more often in the dialysis group. CONCLUSIONS: Kidney transplantation should be the standard of care for Fabry patients progressing towards ESRD. Transplanted Fabry patients on ERT may do better than patients remaining on maintenance dialysis. Larger, controlled studies in Fabry patients with ESRD will have to demonstrate if ERT is able to change the trajectory of cardiac disease and can preserve graft renal function.     

Simulation model of renal replacement therapy: predicting future demand in England.

BACKGROUND: The demand for renal replacement therapy (RRT) in England has risen steadily, although from a lower base than many other developed countries. Predicting the future demand for RRT and the impact of factors such as the acceptance rate, transplant supply and patient survival, is required in order to inform the planning of such services. METHODS: A discrete event simulation model estimates the future demand for RRT in England in 2010 for a range of scenarios. The model uses current prevalence and current and projected future acceptance rates, survival rates and the transitions between modalities to predict future patient numbers. National population and mortality data, published literature and data from the UK Renal Registry and UK Transplant, are used to estimate unmet need for RRT, the impact of changing demography and incidence of Type 2 diabetes, patient haemodialysis (HD) survival and transplant supply. RESULTS: By 2010 the predicted prevalence will have increased from about 30,000 in 2000 to between 42 and 51,000 (900-1000 p.m.p.), an average annual growth of 4.5-6%. Changing transplant supply has a small effect on overall numbers but changes the proportion of patients with functioning graft by up to 8%. Even with an optimistic increase in transplant supply (11% p.a. for 5 years), numbers on HD will continue to rise substantially, especially in the elderly. The factors most influencing future patient numbers are the acceptance rate and dialysis survival. CONCLUSION: This model predicts a substantial growth in the RRT population to 2010 to a rate approaching 1000 p.m.p., particularly in the elderly and those on HD, with a steady state not being reached for at least 25 years.     

Deaths within 90 days from starting renal replacement therapy in the ERA-EDTA Registry between 1990 and 1992.

BACKGROUND: Patients who die within 90 days of commencing renal replacement therapy (RRT) may be recorded by some centres and not others, and hence data on mortality and survival may not be comparable. However, it is essential to compare like with like when analysing differences between modalities, centres and registries. It was decided, therefore, to look at the incidence of deaths within 90 days in the ERA-EDTA Registry, and to try to define the characteristics of this group of patients. METHODS: Between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 1992, 78 534 new patients started RRT in 28 countries affiliated to the ERA-EDTA Registry. Their mean age was 54 years and 31% were over 65 years old. Eighty-two per cent of the patients received haemodialysis (HD), 16% peritoneal dialysis (PD) and 2% had preemptive transplantation as first mode of treatment. RESULTS: From January 1990 to March 1993 the overall incidence of deaths was 19% and 4% of all patients died within 90 days from the start of RRT. Among those dying within 90 days 59% were over 65 years compared to 53% over 65 years in those dying beyond this time (P<0.0001). The modality of RRT did not influence the distribution of deaths before and after 90 days. Vascular causes and malignancy were more common in those dying after 90 days, while there were more cardiac and social causes among the early deaths. Mortality from social causes was twice as common in the elderly, who had a significantly higher chance of dying from social causes within 90 days compared to those aged under 65 years. The overall incidence of deaths within 90 days was 3.9% but there was a wide variation between countries, from 1.8% to 11.4%. Finally, patient survival at 2 years was markedly influenced in different age groups when deaths within 90 days were taken into account. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of deaths within 90 days from the start of RRT was 3.9%, with a marked variation between countries ranging from 1.8% to 11.4%, which probably reflects mainly differences in reporting these deaths, although variable selection criteria for RRT may contribute. Deaths within 90 days were significantly more frequent in elderly patients with more early deaths resulting from cardiac and social causes, while vascular causes of death and malignancy were more common in those dying after 90 days. Patient survival analyses should take into account deaths within 90 days from the start of RRT, particularly when comparing results between modalities, countries and registries.     

Successful pregnancies in women on renal replacement therapy: report from the EDTA Registry.

This study reports the geographical incidence of successful pregnancies in women on renal replacement therapy (RRT) and related information on gestation and clinical status of newborns. The impact of successful pregnancy on graft function was assessed by means of a retrospective case-control study. Since 1977 special questionnaires have been sent to each dialysis and transplant centre which reported babies born to mothers on RRT on the yearly centre questionnaire. After 10 years of data collection, a total of 490 pregnancies and 500 babies were available for analysis. A percentage of 88.4 of the babies were born to mothers with a functioning graft, 11.2% to mothers on chronic haemodialysis, and the remaining 0.4% to mothers on CAPD. Almost 50% of all successful pregnancies were reported from the UK. The number of successful pregnancies increased steadily and in parallel with the increasing number of females of childbearing age with a functioning renal transplant. The majority of mothers delivered at age 24-32. For transplanted mothers delivery occurred most commonly during the 3rd and 4th year after successful transplantation. In approximately 85% of cases the duration of pregnancy was shorter than the lower 10th percentile of normal. Birthweight was reduced in accordance with gestational age. Newborn mortality was 1.8%. Fifty-three mothers with a successful pregnancy in 1984-1987 were computer matched with controls according to a number of criteria. The serum creatinine concentration recorded in coded form at the end of each year on the individual EDTA patient questionnaire was used to assess changes in graft function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)