During pregnancy, normal GFR increases by about what percent due to increased renal blood flow?

During pregnancy, normal GFR increases by about what percent due to increased renal blood flow?

• A. 10%
• B. 25%
• C. 50%
• D. 75%

Answer: (C)

During pregnancy, renal blood flow increases significantly because of expanded blood volume and hormonal vasodilation, which drives a higher filtration rate in the kidneys. The glomerular filtration rate rises by about 50% compared with pre-pregnancy levels. This means the kidneys are filtering more plasma, and serum creatinine and BUN often fall slightly as a result. Therefore, the increase is best described as roughly a 50% rise in GFR. Smaller increases (10–25%) don’t capture the substantial boost, while a 75% jump would be larger than what is typically observed.

During pregnancy, renal blood flow increases significantly because of expanded blood volume and hormonal vasodilation, which drives a higher filtration rate in the kidneys. The glomerular filtration rate rises by about 50% compared with pre-pregnancy levels. This means the kidneys are filtering more plasma, and serum creatinine and BUN often fall slightly as a result. Therefore, the increase is best described as roughly a 50% rise in GFR. Smaller increases (10–25%) don’t capture the substantial boost, while a 75% jump would be larger than what is typically observed.