What is it?

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic disorder in which cysts grow within the kidneys, resulting in renal enlargement and loss of function. A cyst is a round benign sac filled with fluids. The cysts vary in size, they can grow and damage the kidneys, causing complications such as high blood pressure and kidney failure. Moreover, cysts can grow in the liver, may cause brain aneurysms, pregnancy complications in women, heart valve abnormalities and diverticulitis. There are two types of inheritance of PKD- autosomal recessive and dominant.