Polycystic Kidney Disease

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) causes cysts (fluid-filled growths) to develop in the kidneys. PKD is a genetic disorder, meaning you have to have a mutated (changed) gene to get the disorder.

Causes of Polycystic Kidney Disease #

• Genetic mutations cause polycystic kidney disease. In most cases, parents pass the disorder to their children.

• So, you inherit PKD. But sometimes genes mutate or change at random. People of all ages, races and ethnicities can have PKD.

• It occurs equally in women and men.

Symptoms of Polycystic Kidney Disease #

• Headaches.

• Hematuria (blood in the urine).

• High blood pressure.

• Pain in your back or sides.

Signs of Polycystic Kidney Disease #

• Enlarged kidneys.

• Growth failure (small size or low birthweight).

• Low amniotic fluid level, which might mean a baby isn’t producing enough urine in the womb.

Diagnosis of Polycystic Kidney Disease #

A nephrologist (healthcare provider specializing in kidney disorders) diagnoses PKD. They may order the following imaging exams to check your kidneys:

• Kidney ultrasound or prenatal ultrasound.

• CT scan.

• MRI.

Complications of Polycystic Kidney Disease #

• Brain aneurysms.

• Colon problems.

• Heart valve problems.

• High blood pressure.

• Kidney failure.

• Kidney stones.

• Liver cysts and pancreatic cysts.

• Preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy).

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Treatment of Polycystic Kidney Disease #

Blood pressure management #

Your provider helps you control your blood pressure with medicine, diet and exercise. Keeping your blood pressure within a safe range reduces your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Breathing support #

Infants with underdeveloped lungs and breathing problems may need mechanical ventilation.

Dialysis #

If you have kidney failure, you may need dialysis (a procedure to clean the blood). Hemodialysis uses a machine to filter blood outside the body. Peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of your belly and a special fluid to filter blood.

Growth therapy #

Underweight or underdeveloped infants may need help growing. A healthcare provider may recommend nutritional therapy or human growth hormone.

Kidney transplant #

You may need a kidney transplant if ADPKD progresses to end-stage renal failure. A transplant is surgery to replace a failing kidney with a donor kidney.

Pain management #

Medicine can control pain caused by infections, kidney stones or burst cysts. Your healthcare provider should approve any pain medicines you take. Some medicines can make kidney damage worse.