Acquired renal cystic disease in children prior to the start of dialysis.

This report describes the clinical course and serial sonographic findings in three children who developed acquired renal cystic disease (ARCD) prior to the institution of dialysis. The children were aged from 3 years to 13 years and their estimated glomerular filtration rate varied from 8 to 13 ml/min per 1.73 m2 when ARCD was diagnosed. Their primary renal disorders, which included hemolytic-uremic syndrome and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, had been present for 1.5-11.5 years prior to the cysts being discovered. These patients show that ARCD may develop in children with chronic progressive renal parenchymal disease prior to the institution of specific therapy for end-stage renal disease.