What are the Causes of Polycystic Kidney Disease

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is most commonly believed to equally affect men and women of all races. Approximately 12.5 million of people worldwide have this disease. In Americans, for example, this disease is the number four cause of Renal Failure, and currently about 600, 000 persons in the U.S. have this kidney disease. The vast majority cause lies in defective genes; however, it can also develop on its own.

● Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD)

This form accounts for around 90 percent of cases with this disease duet to abnormal genes. Patients may develop signs and symptoms at the ages of 30~40. Adult are often affected by it, however, children can also develop this disorder. The child has a 50% chance of getting the disease if one patent has it.

● Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD)

This type is less common than the above which is also caused due to genetic mutation. The signs and symptoms often present shortly after birth. In some cases, symptoms don't appear under later in childhood or during adolescence. Both parents must have abnormal genes to pass on this disorder. The child has a 25% chance of getting this disease if both parent carry a gene for this disorder.

● Acquired cystic kidney disease

Acquired cystic kidney disease, another kind of PKD develops on its own. It occurs in 90 percent of people on dialysis for 5 years or more. The reason of cysts formation in the kidneys can be an unidentified wastes are not removed through dialysis. Kidney Failure may also cause this disease.
If you have this disease and are considering having children, you should discuss this with the doctor in detail so as to decide whether pregnancy is safe or not. Remind to keep the kidneys healthy so as to help prevent the development of complications.