Multicystic dysplastic kidney causes multiple cysts to grow and control healthy kidney tissue during fetal development, leading to improper kidney function. Treatment varies, and the cause is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to urinary blockage during fetal development. In most cases, only one kidney is affected, and the remaining kidney may have slight problems but can be monitored with a low-sodium, low-protein diet.
Multicystic dysplastic kidney is a type of disease that causes multiple cysts to grow and control healthy kidney tissue during fetal development. The development of these cysts prevents the affected kidney from functioning properly and, in many cases, there is no kidney function at all. Most cases of multicystic dysplastic kidney are diagnosed before birth following the use of prenatal ultrasonography. Treatment varies for each individual, but can range from close monitoring to surgical removal of the affected kidney. Any questions or concerns about multicystic dysplastic kidney disease or the most appropriate treatment options for an individual situation should be discussed with a physician or other medical professional.
The exact cause for the development of a multicystic dysplastic kidney is not clearly understood, although it is widely believed to be related to urinary blockage during the fetal development stage. Studies have shown that there may be a genetic connection in some cases of multicystic dysplastic kidney. In most cases, only one kidney is affected, although it is possible for both kidneys to be affected. Sometimes, the affected person is born with one diseased kidney and the other kidney is completely missing.
If both kidneys are affected by this congenital disorder, or if one kidney is missing at birth, the condition is fatal, because the baby cannot survive without at least one functioning kidney. However, usually only one kidney is affected, and it is almost always the left kidney. Over time, the diseased kidney tends to shrink because it is unable to receive adequate blood flow. Nerve damage is possible as the cysts continue to outgrow the kidney, and this could cause moderate to severe pain. The diseased kidney is monitored and is usually removed when the child is old enough to have surgery safely.
In more than half of cases of multicystic dysplastic kidney, there is a slight problem affecting the remaining kidney, although this typically does not affect overall health or life expectancy. The remaining kidney is usually larger than normal, which is a natural response to the kidney being forced to do the work of two kidneys. To protect the healthy kidney, a diet low in sodium and protein is generally recommended, and periodic blood tests or ultrasounds may be recommended to monitor the health and function of this kidney.
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