What is PKD? - How has it affected our family?
What is Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)?
Polycystic means multiple cysts. In effect, PKD denotes multiple cysts on each kidney. These cysts grow and multiply over time, also causing the mass of the kidney to increase. Ultimately, the diseased kidney shuts down causing end-stage renal disease for which dialysis and transplantation are the only forms of treatment.
PKD comes in two forms. Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) is the most common, affecting 1-in-400 to 1-in-500 adults. Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease (ARPKD) is far less common, affecting 1-in-10,000 at a far younger age, including newborns, infants and children.
Polycystic Kidney Disease is not as well known as other genetic diseases. Many people are surprised to learn that:
---PKD is the most common life-threatening genetic disease in the United States, affecting approximately 600,000 Americans, including men, women and children of all races and ethnic origins.
---More people suffer from PKD than cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, hemophilia, Down’s syndrome and sickle cell anemia - combined.
---People with PKD have a 50% chance of passing this disease on to their children.
---There is currently no known treatment or cure for PKD.
Source: PKD Foundation
How has PKD affected our family? PKD has taken the lives of 7 immediate family members and caused the failure of Pat’s kidneys. Eight years ago a kidney transplant saved Pat’s life. She is a living example of what America gains through organ donation.
Polycystic means multiple cysts. In effect, PKD denotes multiple cysts on each kidney. These cysts grow and multiply over time, also causing the mass of the kidney to increase. Ultimately, the diseased kidney shuts down causing end-stage renal disease for which dialysis and transplantation are the only forms of treatment.
PKD comes in two forms. Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) is the most common, affecting 1-in-400 to 1-in-500 adults. Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease (ARPKD) is far less common, affecting 1-in-10,000 at a far younger age, including newborns, infants and children.
Polycystic Kidney Disease is not as well known as other genetic diseases. Many people are surprised to learn that:
---PKD is the most common life-threatening genetic disease in the United States, affecting approximately 600,000 Americans, including men, women and children of all races and ethnic origins.
---More people suffer from PKD than cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, hemophilia, Down’s syndrome and sickle cell anemia - combined.
---People with PKD have a 50% chance of passing this disease on to their children.
---There is currently no known treatment or cure for PKD.
Source: PKD Foundation
How has PKD affected our family? PKD has taken the lives of 7 immediate family members and caused the failure of Pat’s kidneys. Eight years ago a kidney transplant saved Pat’s life. She is a living example of what America gains through organ donation.
posted by - | Tuesday, February 07, 2006
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