How does pyelonephritis affect the baby during pregnancy?

If you have pyelonephritis in pregnancy, you are more likely to have your baby prematurely or to have a low birthweight baby (Goumi et al, 2015). You're also more likely to have complications in your kidneys (NICE, 2013). The risks are higher if you don't have any symptoms (Goumi et al, 2015).

What is the most serious complication of pyelonephritis?

Acute pyelonephritis can have several complications such as renal or perinephric abscess formation, sepsis, renal vein thrombosis, papillary necrosis, or acute renal failure, with one of the more serious complications being emphysematous pyelonephritis.