Our kidney experts (nephrologists) provide exceptional care for all types of pediatric and adult hereditary and congenital kidney diseases.
Medically reviewed by Lavjay Butani, M.D. on Aug. 18, 2023.
Congenital diseases are conditions or abnormalities (also called anomalies or defects) you develop before birth. They may be identified in utero (during pregnancy), at birth or later in life. Some congenital diseases are hereditary, which means you inherit them from your parents.
Our pediatric and adult nephrologists (kidney specialists) have extensive experience treating hereditary and congenital kidney conditions. They provide complete and personalized care for you or your child.
Congenital kidney diseases affect the important work of your kidneys and urinary tract. You have two kidneys located under your lower ribs on either side of your back. Their role is to remove waste and extra fluid from your blood. This liquid waste (urine) leaves your body through your ureters, bladder and urethra.
Congenital kidney diseases in children are often due to structural abnormalities of the kidney or urinary tract. Some of the more common childhood congenital kidney diseases are:
Inherited kidney diseases are often progressive, which means they get worse over time. Examples include:
Hereditary and congenital kidney diseases affect kidney function. Depending on the type of disease and its severity, you may experience no symptoms until the kidney function is very poor, or you may experience urinary or other symptoms.
Signs of hereditary and congenital kidney diseases include:
Hereditary kidney diseases occur due to genetic changes (mutations) that pass from parent to child. In some cases, health care providers know the specific mutation that causes a particular disease.
Congenital kidney diseases are hereditary 10% to 20% of the time. For the remaining cases, the exact cause is not known. Experts believe they are likely due to a mix of genetic and environmental factors.
For pregnant women, their obstetrician may find a congenital kidney disease as part of routine prenatal ultrasounds. For children and adults, our providers use a range of tests to diagnose hereditary and congenital kidney disease, including:
Treatments for hereditary and congenital kidney diseases vary depending on the disease type. While some congenital kidney diseases are curable with surgery, people with progressive kidney disease require close monitoring and care. For all types of kidney diseases, our team is by your side with guidance and support.
Diet and exercise are important for your health and can help you manage kidney disease. Our nutritionists can help you learn what to eat for ideal kidney health. Learn more about nutrition and chronic kidney disease (PDF).
Our kidney specialists use medications to treat some hereditary and congenital kidney diseases. Your provider may prescribe blood pressure medications to protect your kidneys or long-term antibiotics to prevent urinary tract infections.
Cystoscopy is a minimally invasive treatment for some congenital kidney diseases. Our surgeons insert a thin tube with a camera at the end into your child’s bladder. They pass tiny tools through the tube to fix structural problems or open blockages.
Surgery may be a treatment option to fix a congenital kidney problem affecting the ureters or kidney. Our surgeons use open and laparoscopic surgical procedures. Laparoscopy involves inserting a thin tube with a camera and tiny tools through very small incisions. This less invasive approach leads to less pain and faster healing.
Dialysis is a treatment for people with kidney failure. A machine filters your blood for several hours, several times per week. We provide dialysis and also partner with other dialysis providers across Northern California so you can receive this life-saving therapy close to home.
Kidney transplant may be an option if your or your child’s kidneys are failing. It involves supplementing your diseased kidneys with a healthy kidney from another person. UC Davis Health is one of the top kidney transplant centers in the U.S.
"Congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract," MedlinePlus, https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/congenital-anomalies-of-kidney-and-urinary-tract/#inheritance
<1%Newborns have a congenital kidney disease
10%People who need a kidney transplant due to hereditary kidney disease.
Sources: Medline Plus: Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract
Mehta L, Jim B.: Hereditary Renal Diseases
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