Early pre-eclampsia unmasks underlying IgA nephropathy

rly pre-eclampsia unmasks underlying IgA nephropathy Case report (2930) Total Article Views Authors: Mona Singh, Akhenaton Pappoe, Burl R Don Published Date December 2010 Volume 2011:3 Pages 1 - 5 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/PLMI.S14194 Mona Singh, Akhenaton Pappoe, Burl R Don Division of Nephrology, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA Abstract: Pre-eclampsia is the most ominous complication of pregnancy, and primary glomerular diseases can mimic pre-eclampsia in presentation. A patient presented at 21 weeks gestation with signs and symptoms of both pre-eclampsia and primary glomerular nephropathy. A critical clinical decision whether to continue or terminate the pregnancy was dependent on results of a renal biopsy. The biopsy noted the presence of both pre-eclampsia and immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy. Thus, the onset of pre-eclampsia unmasked the presence of unrecognized IgA nephropathy, and the IgA nephropathy was a risk factor for this patient developing pre-eclampsia. The results of a renal biopsy are key in distinguishing pre-eclampsia from other kidney diseases and instituting appropriate clinical management.