Is Pregnancy Riskier for Living Kidney Donors? With Amit X. Garg, MD, PhD
A new matched cohort study presented at ASN Kidney Week 2026 suggests that living kidney donors may face a modest increase in hypertensive disorders during future pregnancies. The research, led by Dr. Amit X. Garg, provides more precise data than previous studies, helping to clarify long-term health risks for female donors.
Why it matters
This study provides critical evidence for medical professionals to better counsel potential kidney donors on the long-term reproductive health implications of donation.
A Canadian matched cohort study weighs whether pregnancies after living kidney donation carry added hypertensive risk. About 65% of living kidney donors are female, and roughly 75% are of childbearing age at donation, making the effect of donation on future pregnancies a central question during donor evaluation.¹
Presented at American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney Week 2026 by Amit X. Garg, MD, PhD, and published simultaneously in JAMA, a new matched cohort study offers more precise estimates than earlier, smaller studies. Most donor pregnancies were uncomplicated, though investigators observed a modest increase in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.¹
Why Evaluate Pregnancy in Living Kidney Donors?
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