Living with Renal hypoplasia
A condition in which one or both kidneys have too few filtering units (nephrons) and may be small.
Understanding Renal hypoplasia
Nephrons are the kidney's tiny filters. A severe form, called oligomeganephronia, has about 80% fewer nephrons, and the ones present are much larger. It can be found at any time in life.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Small or abnormally shaped kidneys
- Fewer kidney filters (nephrons)
- Chronic kidney disease
- Reduced kidney function
- Frequent urinary tract infections
- Extreme thirst
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include genetic specialists and kidney specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Genetic specialists (geneticists); Kidney specialists (nephrologists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with National Kidney Foundation and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says gene changes cause this condition and lists autosomal dominant inheritance. It doesn't name a gene here.
Also known as: congenital hypoplasia of kidney; hypoplastic kidney; hypoplastic kidneys; renal hypoplasia (disease); small kidneys; underdeveloped kidneys
Patient organizations
- National Kidney FoundationKidney diseases · United States
- Renal Support NetworkKidney diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Renal hypoplasia.
Explore research for Renal hypoplasia
Explore actively recruiting Renal hypoplasia studies with HealthSpark.
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- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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