OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatments and outcomes of perinatal autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease.

METHODSThe clinical data of one case with infantile polycystic kidney disease diagnosed in perinatal stage and the reports of 11 cases seen in the past 15 years searched in Pubmed, OVID and Elsevier and CNKI, Wanfang database by using the polycystic kidney disease, infant, perinatal, autosomal recessive and case report as keyword were reviewed and analyzed.

RESULTSThe infant was characterized by huge kidneys, severe respiratory and renal compromise. The kidneys were symmetrically enlarged and highly echogenic by ultrasonographic examination and showed high-signal intensity on T2-weighted images by MRI. Histologic analysis showed pulmonary hypoplasia, numerous dilated and elongated tubular structures in the kidney and dilated intrahepatic biliary ducts. Among the 12 cases, 8 cases' presumptive diagnosis was made by prenatal ultrasound revealed enlarged kidneys and oligohydramnios. All cases suffered respiratory distress after birth, and 5 cases complicated pneumothorax. 6 cases died in neonatal stage because of respiratory failure.1 case died 2 m after birth because of renal failure. Five cases are alive and underwent dialysis, nephrectomy or renal transplant.

CONCLUSIONNewborn infants with perinatal autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease often have poor outcome and died from respiratory and renal failure. Aggressive respiratory support and renal replacement therapy (including nephrectomy, dialysis and transplantation) may give these infants a favorable outcome.