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What happens if a baby is born without a kidney?

Published in Renal Development 2 mins read

A baby born without kidneys faces severe challenges and typically cannot survive without intervention due to critical developmental issues. According to available information, babies without kidneys don't produce urine, which leads to complications.

Consequences of Being Born Without Kidneys

The absence of kidneys results in a cascade of problems, including:

  • Low Amniotic Fluid (Oligohydramnios): Because the baby isn't producing urine, there is not enough amniotic fluid.

  • Incomplete Lung Development (Pulmonary Hypoplasia): The reduced amniotic fluid hinders proper lung development. This is because the baby "breathes" in the amniotic fluid, which helps the lungs grow.

  • Inability to Survive Without Treatment: Without functional kidneys, the baby cannot filter waste or regulate fluids.

Treatment Options

Currently, treatments for babies born without kidneys are considered experimental. These treatments aim to address the lack of kidney function.

  • Dialysis: This treatment attempts to artificially filter the blood to remove waste products.
  • Kidney Transplant: This involves surgically implanting a healthy kidney from a donor.

Summary

Consequence Explanation
Low Amniotic Fluid Baby doesn't produce urine, resulting in reduced amniotic fluid levels.
Incomplete Lung Development Low amniotic fluid hinders proper lung growth, leading to pulmonary hypoplasia.
Survival Difficulty Baby cannot filter waste or regulate fluids, making survival without treatment unlikely.
Available Treatment Kidney transplant or dialysis.

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