Children born to mothers receiving chronic dialysis, a national French cohort (2013-2021)

Introduction Paediatric data of children born to mothers receiving chronic dialysis are scarce, although this information is essential to study the possible risk of morbidity related to intrauterine exposure to uremic toxins and maternal therapies. Our aim was to examine the impact of this exposure on the short and mid-term outcomes of children. Methods This national observational study was based on data from the French National Health Data System. Results In France, over the period 2013–2021, 70 live births were born to mothers receiving chronic dialysis. The median gestational age was 37 (33–39) weeks, including 40 (57.1%) full-term and 30 (42.9%) preterm births. The median birth weight was 2615 (1941–3448) g, and 32 (45.7%) new-borns had a birthweight < 2500 g. Other neonatal complications were: 5 respiratory distress syndrome (7.1%), 2 small for gestational age (2.8%) and 5 admissions to the NICU (7.1%). From birth up to eight years of age, the main diseases were those of the respiratory system 31 (44.2%), including acute bronchiolitis 22 (31.4%); diseases and infections of the digestive system 22 (31.4%), including enteritis and gastroenteritis 14 (20%); diseases of the urinary system 7 (10%), including tubulo-interstitial nephritis 5 (7.1%); and congenital malformations 17 (24.2%) including 9 cardiac (12.8%). Conclusions This study highlights the risk of morbidity in children born to mothers on chronic dialysis. Further larger studies are required to confirm the relatively high frequency of congenital malformations.