Journal-based CME Course: Neonatal Survival After Serial Amnioinfusions for Bilateral Renal Agenesis – The Renal Anhydramnios Fetal Therapy Trial

Activity ID

13130

Expires

December 5, 2026

Format Type

Journal-based

CME Credit

1

Fee

30

CME Provider: JAMA

Description of CME Course

Importance  Early anhydramnios during pregnancy, resulting from fetal bilateral renal agenesis, causes lethal pulmonary hypoplasia in neonates. Restoring amniotic fluid via serial amnioinfusions may promote lung development, enabling survival.

Objective  To assess neonatal outcomes of serial amnioinfusions initiated before 26 weeks’ gestation to mitigate lethal pulmonary hypoplasia.

Design, Setting, and Participants  Prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial conducted at 9 US fetal therapy centers between December 2018 and July 2022. Outcomes are reported for 21 maternal-fetal pairs with confirmed anhydramnios due to isolated fetal bilateral renal agenesis without other identified congenital anomalies.

Exposure  Enrolled participants initiated ultrasound-guided percutaneous amnioinfusions of isotonic fluid before 26 weeks’ gestation, with frequency of infusions individualized to maintain normal amniotic fluid levels for gestational age.

Main Outcomes and Measures  The primary end point was postnatal infant survival to 14 days of life or longer with dialysis access placement.

Results  The trial was stopped early based on an interim analysis of 18 maternal-fetal pairs given concern about neonatal morbidity and mortality beyond the primary end point despite demonstration of the efficacy of the intervention. There were 17 live births (94%), with a median gestational age at delivery of 32 weeks, 4 days (IQR, 32-34 weeks). All participants delivered prior to 37 weeks’ gestation. The primary outcome was achieved in 14 (82%) of 17 live-born infants (95% CI, 44%-99%). Factors associated with survival to the primary outcome included a higher number of amnioinfusions (P = .01), gestational age greater than 32 weeks (P = .005), and higher birth weight (P = .03). Only 6 (35%) of the 17 neonates born alive survived to hospital discharge while receiving peritoneal dialysis at a median age of 24 weeks of life (range, 12-32 weeks).

Conclusions and Relevance  Serial amnioinfusions mitigated lethal pulmonary hypoplasia but were associated with preterm delivery. The lower rate of survival to discharge highlights the additional mortality burden independent of lung function. Additional long-term data are needed to fully characterize the outcomes in surviving neonates and assess the morbidity and mortality burden.

Trial Registration  ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03101891

Disclaimers

1. This activity is accredited by the American Medical Association.
2. This activity is free to AMA members.

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