What is multicystic dysplastic kidney?

Also known as: MCDK, multicystic renal dysplasia, multicystic kidney.

Multicystic dysplastic kidney is a common birth defect (approximately 1 in every 4300 live births) in which a baby’s normal kidney tissue (usually only on one side) is replaced by many cysts.

If only one kidney is affected the other one can function normally. If both kidneys are affected the baby cannot survive because the kidneys not only make the amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby that allows him/her to move, but also contributes to fetal lung growth and development.

---

Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM