Pediatric Renal Malformation
A renal malformation is a birth defect that affects the kidneys and the way they function.
What is Pediatric Renal Malformation?
A renal malformation is a birth defect that happens during fetal development. Renal malformations affect the function of your child’s kidneys and may include:
- Complete absence of one or both kidneys
- Kidneys that are fused together, rather than separate
- Obstructive renal pelvis defect (partial or complete blockage of kidney drainage)
- Other structural problems with one or both kidneys
Depending on the type and severity of the renal malformation — for example, the absence of any kidney — may result in a fetus not surviving. A child with a renal malformation may have problems that can be treated with surgery or other methods.
What are the signs and symptoms of Pediatric Renal Malformation?
Symptoms of renal malformation in an unborn baby may be seen on an ultrasound during pregnancy. The ultrasound may show that there are missing both kidneys, a single kidney or have enlarged kidneys.
Symptoms of renal malformation after birth or in a child may include:
- Distended (swollen) bladder
- Failure to thrive (low weight)
- Frequent urination
- Frequent urinary tract infections
- Incontinence in children who are completely potty-trained
- Nighttime bedwetting
- Pain when urinating
- Problems starting urine flow
- Weak urinary stream
What are the causes of Pediatric Renal Malformation?
A renal malformation is a birth defect. That means it happens because the baby inherits genes from one or both parents that cause the defect.