Click a question below to show or hide the answer. What is
ARPKD? Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease, ARPKD, is
a rare genetic disorder, occurring in approximately 1 in 20,000
individuals. It affects boys and girls equally and can cause
death in the first month of life. If the child survives the
newborn period, the chances of survival are good. For these
children, approximately one-third will need dialysis or
transplantation by the age of 10. What is the overall outlook
for those with ARPKD? Previously thought to be a fatal
condition, the prognosis for children with ARPKD has improved
dramatically. Twenty years ago, only half of the children born
with the disease survived to their 10th birthday, but now that
percentage has increased to 85 percent. A more positive
prognosis may be attributed to prenatal sonogram technology
continuing to improve and becoming more routine, allowing
doctors to diagnose many cases of ARPKD prior to birth.
Accordingly, the birth of an affected child is better planned so