Acquired cystic kidney disease in renal insufficiency.

The frequency of acquired cystic kidney disease (ACKD) in adult patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRF) varies from 8 to 95%. Systematic data are available neither on children with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) nor on the frequency of ACKD in children below 15 years undergoing dialysis. Twenty-one children with CRI and 28 patients with ESRF were investigated. The age of the children ranged from 1 month to 15.8 years. Ultrasonographic examination determined the incidence of ACKD; in some children computerized tomography was performed. ACKD was diagnosed in 2 children (9.8%) with CRI and in 6 (21.6%) with ESRF. Diagnostic criteria and evolution of ACKD within the observation period of 3-48 months (mean 23.4 +/- 12.6 months) are discussed.