Solitary Kidney

Overview

Solitary kidney is a condition in which a person has a single kidney instead of two kidneys. A person may be born with one kidney (renal agenesis), have two kidneys but only one functional (renal dysplasia) or lose one kidney to a disease, such as kidney cancer.

The kidneys perform the following:

1.Filter waste from the blood

2.Help maintain water balance and blood pressure

3.Keep the proper balance of minerals in the blood

Most people who have one kidney lead normal healthy lives. Some people experience complications. including reduced kidney function and high blood pressure.

Symptoms

Solitary kidney usually does not cause any symptoms as the single kidney is still completely function and able to meet your body’s requirements. When it does affect your health the changes are extremely gradual and small, and may go unobserved. With the passage of time however, these changes buildup and the effects can have greater consequences requiring medical treatment. Some of the changes or symptoms of solitary kidney could include:

1.High blood pressure.

2.Increased protein in the urine, or proteinuria.

3.Reduced filtering capacity measured by glomerular filtration rate (GFR): A reduced GFR, measured by a blood test, can occur in people with a single kidney.

Diagnosis

1.Some people discover they have a single kidney by accident.

2.An X-ray and/or an ultrasound can reveal a solitary kidney.

3.To monitor possible strain on the single kidney, regular blood and urine tests are needed.

Treatment

1.Controlling blood pressure with lifestyle changes and/or medication

2.Sensible diet and avoiding too much protein to avoid putting strain on the kidney

3.Avoiding injury is important but the child should still engage in physical activity. Discuss appropriate sports with your doctor.

What are the Causes of Solitary Kidney?

The causes of solitary kidney can vary widely and very often they remain unknown. Depending on the type of solitary kidney condition the causes could include any of the following:

1.Congenital

The development of renal agenesis is not always explicable and it does not result from any action of the mother during pregnancy. It is also unlikely that there will be any such problem in future pregnancies.

The condition occurs when the uretic or kidney bud does not develop as is normal during the early stages of fetal growth. Although we still do not have a clear understanding of why this occurs, this condition like many other congenital kidney defects are likely to be related to genetic mutations. These are not inherited genetic mutations, but are the result of naturally occurring mutations.

2.Kidney Removal

In some individuals, one kidney may fail or suffer damage or scarring due to some disease or because of cancer of the kidney. In such cases a nephrectomy, which is a surgical procedure to remove the kidney, may be necessary. The kidneys can also suffer damage on account of an injury such as from an accident and in some cases the kidney may have to be removed.

Kidney Donation

The practice of donating organs while alive is becoming increasingly common and a lot more people come forward to donate one of their kidneys when there is a family member or friend who requires a kidney transplant.

How do you take care of a solitary kidney?

If you have a solitary kidney, you do not need to eat a special diet. However, you can keep your kidneys healthy by staying well hydrated, not taking too much salt, and not gaining excessive weight. If you have reduced kidney function, you may need to make changes to your diet to slow your kidney disease progression.

Can a human live with only one kidney?

Most people with a single normal kidney have few or no problems, particularly in the first few years. However, doctors would generally recommend that people are followed up more closely than those with two normal kidneys – especially if they were born with two kidney but have had one removed.

Can a woman with one kidney have a baby?

Many women have normal pregnancies with a single kidney. This should not pose problems for your pregnancy unless your only remaining kidney has been damaged. If your kidney function tests are normal, then no extra problems should occur during the pregnancy as a result of having a single kidney.

Do you need dialysis with one kidney?

Yes. One healthy kidney is capable of successfully filtering excess waste and fluid from your body. Dialysis is a process typically used when your kidneys have less than 15 percent function. Dialysis pumps your blood through a machine to filter out waste and excess water and then returns your blood to your body.

Who pays if you donate a kidney?

Who pays for the cost of kidney donation? Medicare, or the kidney recipient's private insurance, will cover the direct costs of kidney donation such as medical testing, surgery and some medicines for the kidney recipient.