Facebook Pixel

Polycystic Kidney Disease Causes & Risks

Causes

PKD is caused by an inherited gene. It is one of the most common genetic disease in the United States. Children have a 50% chance of developing PKD if one parent carries the gene. If a person has the PKD gene, he or she will have some form of the disease in his or her lifetime. The disease can cause different symptoms within members of the same family.

There is also a rare form of PKD, called autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease, that affects newborns, infants, and children. This form of PKD can cause death in the first month of life.

Risk Factors

The primary risk factor for PKD is having a parent with the disease. Fifty percent of children born to a parent with the PKD gene develop the disease. In about 10% of cases, the gene for the disease was not inherited, but mutated. PKD affects men and women equally.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2024 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.

The Latest in Polycystic Kidney Disease Causes & Risks

ASK Your Health Question

It's FREE and you'll get a response within 24 hours

ASK

POST Info, Tips & Stories

Inspire others to learn from your experiences. Tell your story!

POST
Get Email Updates

Polycystic Kidney Disease Guide

Guide

Have a question? We're here to help. Ask the Community.

ASK

Health Newsletter

Receive the latest and greatest in women's health and wellness from EmpowHER - for free!