Polycystic disease presenting in childhood

Birth Defects Original Article Series
|January 1, 1974
PubMed

Insights

Childhood polycystic kidney and liver disease has distinct subtypes, differing in severity and inheritance patterns. These subtypes, ranging from perinatal to juvenile, show varying prognoses, with some leading to early death and others allowing survival into adulthood.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Hepatology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Polycystic disease of the liver and kidney can manifest in childhood.
  • Adult and childhood forms are histologically distinct.
  • Childhood polycystic disease involves both kidney and liver, with a consistent recessive inheritance pattern.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To differentiate between adult and childhood polycystic kidney and liver disease.
  • To describe the subtypes and their clinical implications in childhood polycystic disease.

Main Methods:

  • Histological examination for disease classification.
  • Family studies to determine inheritance patterns.
  • Clinical observation to assess disease severity and prognosis.

Main Results:

  • Childhood polycystic disease is always recessive.
  • Four subtypes (perinatal, neonatal, infantile, juvenile) were identified, each breeding true within families.
  • Severity ranges from perinatal lethality to survival into adulthood.

Conclusions:

  • Childhood polycystic kidney and liver disease is a distinct entity with a recessive inheritance.
  • Subtyping aids in predicting prognosis and understanding disease progression.
  • Histological differentiation is key to accurate diagnosis.

Related Concept Videos

Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis01:23

Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis

Cystic fibrosis (CF), an autosomal recessive disorder, significantly affects the function of exocrine glands. This genetically inherited disease is characterized by the production of thick and sticky mucus, which can severely affect various organs and systems in the body.
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation, but...
Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction01:17

Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction

Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction01:24

Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction

The pancreas, an elongated and flat gland situated behind the stomach, serves a vital function in digesting food and managing blood sugar levels.
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease01:30

Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease

Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
Type I Diabetes I: Introduction01:12

Type I Diabetes I: Introduction

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by an absolute deficiency of insulin resulting from the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells. Although it can occur at any age, it is most commonly diagnosed in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood. The loss of insulin production impairs cellular glucose uptake, resulting in persistent hyperglycemia and necessitating lifelong insulin therapy.Autoimmune Destruction of β-CellsThe hallmark of type 1 diabetes is an...
Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction01:25

Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction

Chronic pancreatitis is a long-standing, relapsing inflammation of the pancreas, characterized by irreversible damage to the gland. It results in progressive destruction of the pancreatic parenchyma, fibrosis, and eventual loss of both exocrine and endocrine function. The disease may evolve gradually after multiple episodes of acute pancreatitis or develop independently.EtiologyChronic pancreatitis can arise from a variety of causes:Alcohol use is the leading cause, accounting for 70–80% of...