What is ectopic kidney?

An ectopic kidney means that the kidney is not in the usual position. Ectopic means in an abnormal place or position. In most cases only one kidney is affected and the other one is in the normal position.

Ectopic kidney is a type of congenital renal anomaly:

• congenital – the problem is present at birth
• renal– to do with the kidneys
• anomaly – different from normal

Ectopic kidneys occur due to an abnormality in the way the growing baby’s urinary system develops in the uterus (womb). The cause of this abnormal development is not known.

You may be told that your baby has an ectopic kidney during your pregnancy ultrasound scan. or after your baby’s birth. You may need to go back to the hospital for further tests during the pregnancy and after birth.

You may also be told your child has an ectopic kidney if they have investigations due to urinary tract infections or abdominal pain.

Rarely, there can be other abnormalities found as well as the ectopic kidney. These can include problems with the development of the digestive system (gut), nervous system, heart and blood vessels, muscles and skeleton, or other parts of the child’s urinary system. When multiple problems occur together, they can be part of a syndrome and may be caused by abnormal genes. If your child has any of these other abnormalities as well as the ectopic kidney, they may be referred to a doctor who specialises in diseases caused by changes in genes, called a geneticist.

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