Amniocentesis & Polycystic Kidney Disease

Amniocentesis is a prenatal diagnostic test which is performed at around 16 weeks of pregnancy. It can be used to test for chromosomal abnormalities, and assess whether the unborn baby could develop, or has developed, an abnormality or serious health condition. This test can be used to diagnose Polycystic Kidney Disease in unborn babies.

During the amniocentesis test, a very small amount of the amniotic fluid is taken out of the womb. The fluid is then tested. In another test, called chorionic villus sampling, a very small piece of the placenta, is tested.

For a person with PKD who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, they can talk to the doctor about these procedures.

How is PKD diagnosed?

The disease is often diagnosed when a person begins to have the symptoms such as high blood pressure, pain in the back and side, blood in the urine, frequent kidney infections, etc. People with these symptoms are at risk for this disorder.

An ultrasound exam can be used to to create a picture of a person's organ and can detect cysts on the kidneys.

A Computerized tomography (CT) scan may also be ordered to look for cysts in the kidney.

For a person with one parent has PKD, he should consider having an ultrasound exam of the kidneys.

For patients with PKD, if you have a relative who has has a brain aneurysm, you are suggested to have a CT or MRI to check the brain for an aneurysm.

There is no cure for PKD. Diagnosis and treatment of symptoms is critical for delaying kidney failure. In the event of kidney failure, dialysis and kidney transplant are often considered.

The good news is that in China, we have a natural herbs therapy to shrink the renal cysts and stop the progression of PKD. With prompt treatment, patients can avoid a kidney dialysis or transplant in the future.

If you are diagnosed or have been suffering from polycystic kidney, contact us by sending an e-mail to pkddoctor@hotmail.com.