by Shirley Rozankowski

Created on: June 11, 2009   Last Updated: June 12, 2009

First of all, to make a long story short, If you or your partner have polycystic kidney disease, and are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, speaking with a doctor is the best plan of action. Children born to parents with PKD have a 50% chance of inherting this disease as well. Which is why it is so important if you have this disease and sre pregnant to let your doctor know as soon as possible.

It is very possible to diagnose PKD in unborn babies. One method of testing a fetus would be amniocentesis. This test is also referred to as the amniotic fluid test or AFT. It is exactly what is sounds like, it is the testing of the amniotic fluid for genetic abnormalities. Parents have the right to have this procedure or to refuse it. Possible risks may arise even though this procedure is routine. Possible risks of this test could be an infection of the amniotic sac or a failure for the puncture to heal properly. Some very serious complications can lead to miscarriage. This procedure is usually performed between 16 and 20 weeks of gestation.

Another method of testing for PKD in a fetus is chorionic villus sampling. It is a test of the chorionic villus, a fancy name for placenta tissue, is performed to test for genetic or chromosomal disorder. It can be carried out at 10-13 weeks after the last period which is much sooner than amniocentesis. The risks are very similar although, if chorionic villus sampling is performed before 11 weeks there is a risk of digit reduction in the unborn child.

Some symptoms of PKD are pain in the back and side, frequent kidney infections, and blood in the urine. The most common symptom is high blood pressure. Although there is treatment to make you more comfortable with PKD, there is no treatment for the cysts can arrive in the kidneys. In many cases this disease causes minor problems however, in more severe cases it can cause kidney failure. There is a childhood form of the disease that is usually more severe. About 50% of patients have kidney failure around age 60 and 60% only incur high blood pressure. Dialysis and kidney transplants are very effective and helping patients cope.

If you have any symptoms or are pregnant and worried about your unborn child having polycystic kidney disease you need to consult a doctor as soon as you can. Also if your partner has this disease, even if it is mild you may want to talk to your doctor and consider testing your unborn child.

Sources: Wikipedia Encyclopedia Online, Family Doctor.org

Learn more about this author, Shirley Rozankowski.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.