Renal malformation
A congenital renal malformation is a birth defect that affects the kidneys and the way they function.
What is a 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 (renal agenesis)
- 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 an infant 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 renal malformations?
Symptoms of a 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 renal malformations?
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.
