Unilateral Renal Agenesis: Prenatal Diagnosis and Postnatal Issues
Unilateral renal agenesis (URA) is a urinary tract congenital anomaly characterized by a congenital absence or early developmental arrest of only one kidney. In the presence of a normal contralateral kidney, URA is typically considered a condition of minimal clinical significance as the solitary kid...
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2025-06-01
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| Series: | Diagnostics |
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| author | Waldo Sepulveda Amy E. Wong Gabriele Tonni Gianpaolo Grisolia Angela C. Ranzini |
| author_facet | Waldo Sepulveda Amy E. Wong Gabriele Tonni Gianpaolo Grisolia Angela C. Ranzini |
| author_sort | Waldo Sepulveda |
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| description | Unilateral renal agenesis (URA) is a urinary tract congenital anomaly characterized by a congenital absence or early developmental arrest of only one kidney. In the presence of a normal contralateral kidney, URA is typically considered a condition of minimal clinical significance as the solitary kidney often undergoes hypertrophy and can sufficiently perform the needed renal function after birth. However, postnatal studies suggest that URA has a significant association with other urinary and extra-urinary anomalies and may have implications for long-term health. This descriptive review focuses on the perinatal aspects of URA, emphasizing the main ultrasound findings to establish the prenatal diagnosis and to guide perinatal management. The pediatric implications of this diagnosis, particularly the high prevalence of long-term complications including hypertension, proteinuria, and a decreased glomerular filtration rate, are also briefly reviewed. URA is consistently associated with other ipsilateral urogenital anomalies. In females, there is a significant association with uterine anomalies that has significant implications for subsequent reproductive function. In males, the prevalence of both urinary and genital anomalies is also increased, which may also have implications for future fertility. Prenatal ultrasound offers the possibility of early diagnosis and parental counseling, which may result in timely intervention to reduce contralateral renal damage, prevent severe urogenital manifestations and co-morbidities, and improve fertility and the quality of life. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ca867fb2f4da43d38e8500fcf50477e0 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-4418 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Diagnostics |
| spelling | doaj-art-ca867fb2f4da43d38e8500fcf50477e02025-08-20T03:28:28ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182025-06-011513157210.3390/diagnostics15131572Unilateral Renal Agenesis: Prenatal Diagnosis and Postnatal IssuesWaldo Sepulveda0Amy E. Wong1Gabriele Tonni2Gianpaolo Grisolia3Angela C. Ranzini4Fetal Imaging Unit, FETALMED—Maternal-Fetal Diagnostic Center, Santiago 7591047, ChileDepartment of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group, Mountain View, CA 94301, USADepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), AUSL Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, ItalyDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Carlo Poma Hospital, ASST Mantova, 46100 Mantua, ItalyDivision of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The MetroHealth System/Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44109, USAUnilateral renal agenesis (URA) is a urinary tract congenital anomaly characterized by a congenital absence or early developmental arrest of only one kidney. In the presence of a normal contralateral kidney, URA is typically considered a condition of minimal clinical significance as the solitary kidney often undergoes hypertrophy and can sufficiently perform the needed renal function after birth. However, postnatal studies suggest that URA has a significant association with other urinary and extra-urinary anomalies and may have implications for long-term health. This descriptive review focuses on the perinatal aspects of URA, emphasizing the main ultrasound findings to establish the prenatal diagnosis and to guide perinatal management. The pediatric implications of this diagnosis, particularly the high prevalence of long-term complications including hypertension, proteinuria, and a decreased glomerular filtration rate, are also briefly reviewed. URA is consistently associated with other ipsilateral urogenital anomalies. In females, there is a significant association with uterine anomalies that has significant implications for subsequent reproductive function. In males, the prevalence of both urinary and genital anomalies is also increased, which may also have implications for future fertility. Prenatal ultrasound offers the possibility of early diagnosis and parental counseling, which may result in timely intervention to reduce contralateral renal damage, prevent severe urogenital manifestations and co-morbidities, and improve fertility and the quality of life.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/13/1572empty renal fossafetal ultrasoundkidneyprenatal diagnosisrenal agenesissolitary kidney |
| spellingShingle | Waldo Sepulveda Amy E. Wong Gabriele Tonni Gianpaolo Grisolia Angela C. Ranzini Unilateral Renal Agenesis: Prenatal Diagnosis and Postnatal Issues Diagnostics empty renal fossa fetal ultrasound kidney prenatal diagnosis renal agenesis solitary kidney |
| title | Unilateral Renal Agenesis: Prenatal Diagnosis and Postnatal Issues |
| title_full | Unilateral Renal Agenesis: Prenatal Diagnosis and Postnatal Issues |
| title_fullStr | Unilateral Renal Agenesis: Prenatal Diagnosis and Postnatal Issues |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unilateral Renal Agenesis: Prenatal Diagnosis and Postnatal Issues |
| title_short | Unilateral Renal Agenesis: Prenatal Diagnosis and Postnatal Issues |
| title_sort | unilateral renal agenesis prenatal diagnosis and postnatal issues |
| topic | empty renal fossa fetal ultrasound kidney prenatal diagnosis renal agenesis solitary kidney |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/13/1572 |
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