Question

The hypoplastic kidney is a congenital condition of the kidneys and urinary tract. Renal or kidney) hypoplasia means that the section of a kidney doesn't fully develop in the womb during pregnancy. The size of the kidney may be only a little more reduced than the typical ordinary kidney. This condition can be divided into unilateral or bilateral hypoplasia. This condition can be attributed to genetics; it is not caused by anything that the mother does during her pregnancy. Hypoplastic kidney occurs in future pregnancies rather than first pregnancies. On the other hand, the dysplastic kidney is the result of irregular fetal development of the kidneys. With this condition, the kidneys consist of abnormal cysts of various sizes that take after a cluster of grapes or berries. With this condition, the kidney serves no purpose and nothing can be done to reverse it. This condition commonly only affects one of the two kidneys, the other healthy kidney will typically enlarge bigger to compensate for the cystic one. Most commonly. this condition is diagnosed before birth and during pregnancy. Most often, the dysplastic kidney will regress and disappear eventually, leaving the child with one healthy kidney.

What are some preventative measures people could take to prevent these conditions?

Answer 1

Prevention of genetic diseases of kidney -

• Early diagnosis of disease during pregnancy by ultrasound scan.
• Laboratory tests molecular study , chromosomal study and biochemical study can be done to diagnose any genetic disorders.
• Avoid smoking and ingestion of medicines that are toxic to kidney .
• Ask for family history of genetic kidney or systemic diseases and rule out the risk of having the disease.
• Genetic counseling can be given to the couple regarding the risk of development of the disease in newborn.
• Pre- marital counseling.
• Prenatal screening .

Once renal dysplasia is present there is no prevention for it. Renal function tests and urine analysis is done to assess level of proteinuria and maintain a good kidney function . This should be done at regular intervals.