Preterm delivery and long-term maternal renal disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives Little is known about the impact of premature delivery on maternal renal complications. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the association between earlier delivery and long-term renal health in the pregnant population. Methods A comprehensive database search was performed. Eligible studies included cross-sectional and cohort studies that reported preterm and full-term deliveries and subsequent maternal chronic kidney disease. A random-effects meta-analysis was used to calculate the pooled effect estimates. The Newcastle–Ottawa scale was used to assess the risk of bias. Results Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Preterm delivery was associated with long-term maternal renal disease with a pooled odds ratio (OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.17–2.85, p = 0.01). A sensitivity analysis identifying outlier study, and the pooled OR excluding it (OR = 2.16, 95% CI, 2.06–2.62; p < 0. 001, I 2 = 0.0%). Conclusion Preterm delivery is associated with a significant risk of long-term maternal renal disease. This suggests the need for careful postnatal risk management in this population. Précis Preterm delivery is associated with higher risk of long-term maternal renal disease, warranting targeted postnatal care and further research into underlying biological mechanisms and preventive strategies.