Home > Polycystic kidney disease
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a progressive, genetic disorder of the kidneys. It occurs in humans and other animals. PKD is characterized by the presence of multiple cysts (polycystic) in both kidneys. The disease can also damage the liver, pancreas and rarely the heart and brain.Initial human symptoms are hypertension, fatigue and mild pain and urinary tract infections. The disease can lead to total loss of kidney function - chronic renal failure and end stage renal disease (ESRD).
The disease exists both in an autosomal recessiveIn genetics, autosomal recessive is a mode of inheritance of genetic traits located on the autosomes (i. the 22 non-sex determining chromosomes). In opposition to autosomal dominant trait, a recessive trait only becomes phenotypically apparent when two co and an autosomal dominantAn autosomal dominant gene is an abnormal gene on one of the autosomal (non-sex determining) chromosomes. Because it is dominant, it need only exist in the inherited chromosomes of one parent for it to cause disease. The chances of an autosomal dominant d form. The recessive form, called ARPKD (autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease) is the less common variant, which occurs in childhood and can be severe. The second type, called ADPKD (autosomal dominant PKD or "Adult-onset PKD") is much more common but less severe.
