Acute renal failure in pregnancy: 1987.

Acute renal failure has become a rare complication of pregnancy due to the virtual disappearance of septic abortion and to better prenatal care, including prevention of blood volume contraction. The incidence of bilateral renal cortical necrosis also decreased in recent years. Severe preeclampsia-eclampsia may be accompanied by acute tubular necrosis. Acute fatty liver of pregnancy is often associated with renal failure. It is a medical emergency. The diagnosis should be made promptly, before liver failure becomes too severe. This should be followed by immediate delivery. In postpartum hemolytic uremic syndrome, plasma infusion, plasma exchange, and/or antiplatelet drug therapy may be of value.