During pregnancy, which renal parameter increases?

During pregnancy, which renal parameter increases?

• A. Decreased renal plasma flow
• B. Decreased creatinine clearance
• C. Increased creatinine clearance
• D. Decreased kidney size

Answer: (C)

During pregnancy the kidneys work harder, with increased renal blood flow and a higher glomerular filtration rate. This rise in filtration means creatinine clearance goes up, because creatinine clearance is a practical proxy for how well the kidneys are filtering blood. The expanded plasma volume and hormonal changes relax the usual resistance in the kidney’s filtering units, boosting GFR by a substantial amount—so creatinine clearance increases. In contrast, renal plasma flow does not decrease; it increases, and kidney size tends to enlarge rather than shrink. So the option describing increased creatinine clearance best reflects the renal change that occurs in pregnancy.

During pregnancy the kidneys work harder, with increased renal blood flow and a higher glomerular filtration rate. This rise in filtration means creatinine clearance goes up, because creatinine clearance is a practical proxy for how well the kidneys are filtering blood. The expanded plasma volume and hormonal changes relax the usual resistance in the kidney’s filtering units, boosting GFR by a substantial amount—so creatinine clearance increases.

In contrast, renal plasma flow does not decrease; it increases, and kidney size tends to enlarge rather than shrink. So the option describing increased creatinine clearance best reflects the renal change that occurs in pregnancy.