Polycystic Kidney Disease

Polycystic kidney disease is a genetic disorder resulting in the development cysts in many organs, primarily in the kidney. In order for the disease to occur, one of the parents should have the disease. In rare case, it may occur without the presence of the disease either in the mother or father. Genetic transmission is autosomal dominant, i.e. the incidence of the disease in a child whose mother or father has the disease is 50 %. It is not gender specific. Boys and girls are at equal risk for developing this disease.


 

It Gives Symptoms at Advanced Age

Although polycystic kidney disease is hereditary, it gives symptoms at later ages. The type discussed here is an adult type polycystic kidney disease. There is also children's polycystic kidney disease, which has a very different course. Renal failure occurs at an early age (often in the early months) and has a rapid course.
 

It also affects organs other than the kidney

In polycystic kidney disease, cysts may also develop in organs other than the kidney, including liver, pancreas, spleen, lung, thyroid, brain, ovaries. Cardiac valves may be affected and brain vessels may dilate (aneurysm); sacs (diverticula) in large bowel and abdominal hernia may develop.

Cysts in the kidney may result in problems such as pain, high blood pressure, inflammation, stone, bleeding, kidney failure. There may be pain for reasons such as stretching of cysts, inflammation, bleeding. Bleeding may occur into the cyst or there may be blood in urine. Cysts can sometimes grow too much and fill up the abdomen.

Treatment of high blood pressure is very important. If renal failure occurs (if filtration function of the kidney is decreased), urea, creatinine levels in the blood begin to increase. If end-stage renal failure occurs, the patient will need dialysis and kidney transplant. Family screening may be required.