PKD Awareness Day is September 4

Graphic from the PKD Foundation

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic disorder that causes many fluid-filled cysts to grow in the kidneys. These cysts can change the shape of the kidneys, often making them much larger.

PKD is a form of chronic kidney disease that reduces kidney function and may lead to kidney failure. PKD can cause other complications, such as high blood pressure, cysts in the liver, and problems with blood vessels in the brain and heart.

The PKD Foundation notes that there are two types of polycystic kidney disease:

• Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD)

  • ADPKD is the more common type of PKD and is estimated to affect more than 600,000 Americans and 12.4 million people worldwide.

• Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD)

  • ARPKD is a rare form of PKD that occurs in 1 in 25,000 children worldwide.

Learn more from the PKD Foundation at https://pkdcure.org/get-involved/awarenessday/