Anti-glomerular basement membrane disease complicated by malaria during pregnancy with successful maternal and fetal outcomes: a case report

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is not uncommon during pregnancy but anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) disease as a cause is rare. We report a case of a 30-year-old female, gravida 3, para 2, referred for impaired kidney function found during the investigation of anemia, around the 27th week of gestation. Kidney biopsy revealed crescentic glomerulonephritis secondary to anti-GBM antibodies. Aggressive therapy with intravenous pulse steroids, pulse cyclophosphamide, and plasma exchange was started. Her kidney function improved and anti-GBM titers fell to below 10 RU/ml. The illness was complicated by the development of malaria at about 32 weeks of gestation. Although malaria was promptly diagnosed and treated, it likely led to vaginal bleeding that required emergency cesarean section. She delivered a healthy live baby at 33 weeks of gestation. This case highlights the need for aggressive therapy for anti-GBM disease in pregnancy.