Urinary and Genital Disorders (Children)

Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney

07/28/2008 10:09PM

Question:

At our 20 week ultrasound and subsequent Level II untrasound, we were told that our baby has one (right) multicystic dysplastic kidney. The Dr. indicated she didn`t see any healthy kidney tissue remaining and that the kidney wouldn`t function. We`ve read about the risks of bilateral multicystic kidneys. What are the chances that the other kidney will develop these cysts? Is bilateral multicystic dysplastic kidneys something the doctors would have already seen?

Answer:

Yes--the perinatologist should have identified the other kidney. If it were multicystic dysplastic or absent, then there should be little or no amniotic fluid around your baby. Multicystic kidney affects approximately 1 in 1000 babies and we do not know the cause. Most children with this live long healthy lives with normal kidney function and with a single functioning kidney.

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Response by:

Jack S Elder, MD, FACS, FAAP
Chief of Pediatric Urology
Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital
Adjunct Professor and Vice Chairman
Department of Urology
University Hospitals
School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University