What is polycystic kidney disease?

Also known as: PKD.

Cysts are abnormal sacs of fluid in the body that may be single or collect in clusters. PKD is a kidney disorder where numerous cysts enlarge in both kidneys reducing the amount of normal kidney tissue and thereby the kidney’s ability to function normally, leading to kidney failure.

PKD may present with cysts in other organs, particularly the liver, pancreas, spleen, ovaries, and large bowel. They can also involve the brain and heart.

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Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

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