Maternal risk factors in offspring with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract in Asian women

Abstract

Background: Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) are the primary cause of pediatric chronic kidney disease. Maternal body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy, pregestational diabetic mellitus (DM), and gestational diabetic mellitus (GDM) are potential modifiable risk factors for CAKUT in offspring.

Methods: In this case control study, 4619 neonates were enrolled during 2012-2020 from Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan. Maternal risk factors before and during pregnancy were compared in children with and without CAKUT. The yearly incidence of CAKUT in offspring and maternal overweight were recorded.

Results: In total, 73 (1.6%) cases of CAKUT in offspring were identified. Maternal overweight before pregnancy (BMI ≥ 24 kg/m²) was an independent risk factor for CAKUT in offspring. No associations of pregestational DM and GDM with CAKUT in offspring were observed. The incidence rates of CAKUT and maternal obesity have increased in the past 10 years.

Conclusions: Maternal obesity before pregnancy is associated with CAKUT in offspring and should be addressed to ensure better outcomes. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Keywords: Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract; Maternal obesity.