Kidney Disease Research Updates
Fall 2008

Additional Resources

Kidney Dysplasia and Medullary Sponge Kidney

The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC) has published two new fact sheets that explain two kidney disorders that can develop before a child is born: kidney dysplasia and medullary sponge kidney.

Kidney dysplasia, which occurs during fetal development, is a condition in which the internal structures of one or both of the baby’s kidneys fail to develop normally. Fortunately, this condition usually occurs in only one kidney. Babies with just one working kidney can grow and develop normally with few health problems. Infants with dysplasia in both kidneys may have impaired kidney function at birth, followed by progressive kidney failure.

Medullary sponge kidney (MSK) is a birth defect in which cysts form in the inner part of the kidney—or medulla—keeping urine from flowing freely through the kidney’s inner tubules. Many people with MSK have no symptoms. Problems that could develop with MSK, such as blood in the urine, kidney stones, and urinary tract infections, usually don’t appear until much later in life—between the ages of 30 and 40. MSK rarely leads to more serious problems, such as total kidney failure.

Kidney Dysplasia and Medullary Sponge Kidney explain the signs and symptoms of these disorders, as well as diagnosis and treatment. Copies of the fact sheets are available at www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/kidneydysplasia and www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/medullaryspongekidney, respectively.

IgA Nephropathy

An NKUDIC fact sheet explains IgA nephropathy, a kidney disorder that occurs in association with deposition of IgA, a class of antibody in the kidneys. Over time, blood and sometimes protein appears in the urine. Kidney damage, and even kidney failure, can eventually result. The fact sheet also describes the risk factors, signs, causes, diagnosis, and available treatment for the condition. To view the fact sheet, go to www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/iganephropathy.

Updated Publications

The NKUDIC has updated the following publications:

• High Blood Pressure and Kidney Disease
• Kidney Biopsy

These publications are available at www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/a-z.asp. This site lists all available kidney and urologic publications in alphabetical order.

NKDEP Produces eGFR Resource for Providers

The National Kidney Disease Education Program (NKDEP) has a new resource available to help primary care providers and other health professionals explain the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to people with chronic kidney disease.

Fact sheets that include simple explanations of the kidneys, kidney function, and eGFR test results can be torn off a pad and given to patients during their office visit. The fact sheets also include suggestions for maintaining kidney health based on the test results. The back of the pad highlights key concepts and talking points for providers to use when educating people about chronic kidney disease. To order up to five free copies of the pad, go to www.nkdep.nih.gov. Anyone interested in promoting the pad should contact the NKDEP at nkdep@niddk.nih.gov. A Spanish-language version of the pad is in development.

NIH Publication No. 09–4531
December 2008

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