Kidney Dysplasia

• Kidney dysplasia occurs when one kidney -- or in rare cases, both -- develop abnormally, due to cysts that grow on them instead of regular kidney tissue. This causes the affected area to become enlarged. Kidney dysplasia is exclusive to babies and develops while the baby is in the womb. It can be detected through an ultrasound. The disorder does not usually pose a problem; in fact, a baby can usually function with just one working kidney. In more severe cases, the disorder can affect both kidneys. It is rare that a baby will survive in the womb if this occurs. However, babies that do survive the entire pregnancy with this condition are subject to receiving a transplant almost immediately upon birth.
  Most children with kidney dysplasia of one kidney do not have to undergo any treatment, especially if they do not exhibit any symptoms, such as abdominal pain and high blood pressure. However, if symptoms do develop and persist, then the kidney may need to be removed.
  
  

Polycystic Kidney Disease

• Polycystic kidney disease causes the enlargement of the kidneys as a result of several cysts developing on them. The disorder is genetic; a child has a one in two chance of developing the disorder if the gene is present in one of the parents.
  Polycystic kidney disease differs from kidney dysplasia in that it does not exclusively occur during a baby's development. In fact, although polycystic kidney disease can develop in children, the majority of the cases are found in middle-aged adults. One in 1,000 people in the United States are affected by this kidney disorder.
  Symptoms may not develop for several years, and may include high blood pressure, drowsiness, excessive urination, joint pain and abdominal pain. In mild cases, blood pressure medications may be used to treat symptoms of polycystic kidney disease. In more severe cases in which the cysts become painful and perhaps infected, the cysts are drained, or the kidneys are removed entirely.
  
  

Acquired Cystic Kidney Disease

• In individuals who have acquired cystic kidney disease, masses of cysts cause the kidneys to appear enlarged. However, it differs from polycystic kidney disease in that it is the result of an already existing kidney disease. Acquired cystic kidney disease affects both adults and children, and usually develops when the kidneys fail.
  No symptoms are experienced with acquired cystic kidney disease. In fact, the cysts are virtually harmless and are picked up through MRIs, ultrasounds and cat scans. If the cysts become infected, they are treated with antibiotics. Especially large cysts are drained through a needles inserted in the abdomen. Surgery is rarely used to remove the cysts. The disorder disappears once the individual has a kidney transplant.