Acute renal failure in association with severe hyperemesis gravidarum.

BACKGROUND: Severe hyperemesis gravidarum is a rare but potentially devastating complication of pregnancy. Among its many potential complications are dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, malnutrition, Wernicke encephalopathy, and compromised renal function.

CASE: We report the case of a 21-year-old woman at 15 weeks' gestation presenting to the emergency department with severe hyperemesis gravidarum associated with acute renal failure. Her initial serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were 10.7 mg/dL and 171 mg/dL, respectively. The patient underwent daily hemodialysis for 5 days with subsequent return of renal function to normal.

CONCLUSION: Women with severe hyperemesis gravidarum may be at risk for acute renal failure caused by severe intravascular volume depletion.