Clinical spectrum of postpartum renal failure

Four patients in whom renal functional abnormalities developed in the postpartum period are discussed. Two patients had a fulminant, fatal course, typical of most of the previously reported cases of postpartum renal failure. The other two patients, however, had only mild, transient renal abnormalities. Pathologically, all four patients showed changes suggestive of fibrin deposition in the renal vasculature. It is suggested that postpartum renal failure includes a spectrum of disease from fulminant renal failure with extensive fibrin deposition to minor renal dysfunction with minimal fibrin deposition.