Causes and Types
Causes
Polycystic Kidney Disease is an inherited genetic disorder. Because of this, it often runs in families of people who either have it or who are unknowingly carriers of the abnormal genes. Because it is typically passed down through dominant genes, it is very difficult for PKD to skip a generation. If you have it, more than likely your parents do too. On the flip side, if you’re parents do not have it, you will likely not have it.
Types: Autosomal Dominant PKD
This is the most common type of PKD, forming about 90% of cases. In this variant, the genes being passed down are dominant. Because of this, children need only one copy of a dominant gene to cause the disease. Only one parent has to have the disease for them to pass the disease to their children. This is the form of the disease that flares up after the afflicted person is over 30 years of age.
Types: Infantile or Autosomal Recessive PKD
Because this type of PKD is recessive, both parents must be carrying a recessive PKD gene to pass down this type of Polycystic Kidney Disease. This variant begins much earlier than the Autosomal Dominant PKD variant. It often begins in either the womb or early childhood and is very serious. Often, it is fatal to the young, afflicted children. This form of PKD is very rare.
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