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Emergency Medicine49 papers

Renal agenesis and dysgenesis

Last edited: 4/15/2026

Overview

Renal agenesis and dysgenesis encompass congenital anomalies involving the absence or abnormal development of one or both kidneys, often associated with oligohydramnios and conditions like Potter syndrome 2.

Diagnosis

  • Ultrasonic Observations: Persistent oligohydramnios and absence of kidney function detected prenatally 2.
  • Imaging Techniques: Detailed ultrasound and MRI to assess kidney morphology and amniotic fluid volume 2.
  • Genetic Counseling: Considered for families with recurrent cases to assess recurrence risk 2.
  • Management

  • Prenatal Management: Early detection through routine ultrasound supervision; management decisions often involve termination of pregnancy in severe cases 2.
  • Postnatal Care: Comprehensive multidisciplinary approach including nephrology, urology, and pediatric care for survivors 2.
  • Supportive Therapies: Tailored to address complications such as pulmonary hypoplasia and limb deformities seen in Potter syndrome 2.
  • Special Populations

  • Pregnancy: Routine prenatal ultrasound screening recommended to detect early 2.
  • Pediatrics: Survivors require specialized pediatric nephrology and urology follow-up 2.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Routine prenatal ultrasound supervision can facilitate early detection of renal agenesis and dysgenesis, aiding in timely genetic counseling 2 (Evidence: Moderate).
  • Early prenatal diagnosis offers practical solutions for genetic counseling and management planning in affected families 2 (Evidence: Moderate).
  • In cases of severe fetal kidney diseases leading to Potter syndrome, multidisciplinary discussions should guide decisions regarding continuation of pregnancy 2 (Evidence: Expert opinion).
  • References

    1 Hart D, Joing S. The Millennial Generation and "the lecture". Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine 2011. link 2 Schmidt W, Schroeder TM, Buchinger G, Kubli F. Genetics, pathoanatomy and prenatal diagnosis of Potter I syndrome and other urogenital tract diseases. Clinical genetics 1982. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      The Millennial Generation and "the lecture".Hart D, Joing S Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (2011)
    2. [2]
      Genetics, pathoanatomy and prenatal diagnosis of Potter I syndrome and other urogenital tract diseases.Schmidt W, Schroeder TM, Buchinger G, Kubli F Clinical genetics (1982)

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