Role of antenatal care in reducing the risk of postpartum acute kidney injury.

Objective: Antenatal visits play a very important role to diagnose and manage pregnancy related health issues. This study was an attempt to identify the reasons that increase the risk of postpartum acute kidney Injury with special focus on antenatal care. Methods: We analyzed 110 patients in Nephrology and Gynaecology wards in Lahore General Hospital. Out of these 40 had Postpartum Acute Kidney Injury and 70 patients did not have it. Questionnaire regarding aspects of antenatal care (demographics, timing and number of antenatal visits) was filled by the patient or immediate family members. Results: Mean age of the 110 patients was 26.45 years. Mean Duration of pregnancy in the control group was 36.12 weeks and in cases it was 31.62 weeks. Out of 110 patients, 36(32.72%) patients did not have any antenatal visit while 62(56.3%) patients had more than five visits. Out of the 40 Postpartum Acute Kidney Injury patients, 23(57.5%) patients did not get any antenatal care. Out of 70 patients without Postpartum Acute Kidney Injury, 13 did not have any antenatal care. There were 19 patients who did not have booked visits because of financial Issues, followed by lack of awareness in 12 patients, distance issues for three patients and lack of family support for two patients. Conclusion: Patients who did not have antenatal care were at an increased risk of developing PPAKI. Financial issues and lack of awareness were the most common risk factors for compromised antenatal care.