ACUTE GLOMERULITIS IN PREGNANCY

Acute glomerulonephritis, in contrast to hypertensive renal disease, is an infrequent complication of pregnancy. The introduction of the kidney biopsy technique and study of tissue by electron microscopy have provided a better understanding of kidney disease in general, and especially during pregnancy. McQueen and Gwynne¹ recently reported progressive renal insufficiency combined with hypertension, which developed during the second or third trimester in six patients who were studied by kidney biopsy soon after delivery. The mothers survived, but four of the six infants died. Justification for regarding this group as distinct from patients with preeclampsia rested upon the findings on renal biopsy. The glomeruli in each specimen appeared uniformly affected throughout. Light microscopy showed them to be swollen and ischemic, with thickened capillary walls. The appearance of the capillary wall included characteristic thickening due to swelling of endothelial cells. Slight proliferation of axial cells and deposition of amorphous material in