KIDNEY DYSPLASIA

TYPES

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD)

The signs and symptoms of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease often develops in the ages between 30 and 40. In the past, it called adult polycystic kidney disease, but today, children can also be affected by this disorder.

Only one parent needs to have the condition for it to pass to the other members of the family. If one parent has autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, his/her children have a 50% chance of getting the disease.

Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD)

This type of kidney dysplasia is far less common than is autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. The signs and symptoms sometimes appear shortly after birth, and sometimes, symptoms do not appear until later in childhood or during adolescence.

To pass on this form of the disease, both parents must have abnormal genes, but if both parents carry a gene for this disorder, every single child he/she has will have a 25 percent chance of getting the disease.

SYMPTOMS

Kidney dysplasia symptoms include:

• High blood pressure
• Back or side pain
• Headache
• a feeling of fullness in your abdomen
• Increased size of the abdomen due to enlarged kidneys
• Blood in your urine
• Kidney stones
• Kidney failure
• UTI or kidney infections

DIAGNOSIS

It is not uncommon for people to have kidney dysplasia for years without knowing it, so if you develop some of the signs and symptoms of this disease, see your doctor, immediately. Also, if you have a relative, parent, sibling or children with kidney dysplasia, consult a doctor to discuss further screening for this disorder.

TREATMENT

If you have kidney dysplasia and you’re considering having children in the future, you might need a genetic counsellor to help you assess your risk of passing the disease to your offspring.

Keeping your kidneys as healthy as possible, including changing habits may help prevent some of the complications of this disease. By managing your blood pressure, you can help reduce the risk of kidney dysplasia.

Tips for keeping your blood pressure in check:

• Take the medications prescribed by your doctor as directed.
• Eat a low-salt diet containing fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Maintain a healthy weight and ask your doctor what the right weight is for you.
• Quit smoking.
• Regular exercise
• Limit the use of alcohol