Behind the Mystery: Understanding Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

Behind the Mystery takes a closer look at one of the two types of Polycystic Kidney disease. There are two types of PKD. The first is autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease, or ARPKD, which is a less common form of polycystic kidney disease and can be found in children. Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease, or ADPKD, is a rare, genetic condition, and approximately 140,000 Americans have been diagnosed with it and others may be undiagnosed.  The Balancing Act traveled to Yale School of Medicine to learn about diagnosis and management of ADPKD from Dr. Neera Dahl. She shares how ADPKD effects patients and family members, and what you need to know if you or someone you love has been diagnosed.  ADPKD does not skip generations, so the disease often affects many people in one family. A person who has ADPKD has a 50% chance of passing it on to each of their children. Our patient Sarah knew at an early age that ADPKD was in her future. She shares how ADPKD impacts her life: from diagnosis to management.