How does multicystic dysplastic kidney reduce functional kidney tissue?

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Multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK) is a form of urogenital malformation characterized by the replacement of normal kidney tissue with multiple non-functioning cysts.

In this condition, the kidney fails to develop properly during fetal growth. Instead of forming functional nephrons—the essential units responsible for filtering blood and producing urine—the tissue undergoes a dysplastic process. This results in the kidney becoming a mass of fluid-filled sacs or pouches. Because these cysts are enclosed structures that do not connect to the urinary collecting system, they cannot perform the vital filtration functions of a healthy kidney. Consequently, the functional renal parenchyma is either absent or significantly reduced, effectively rendering the affected kidney non-functional.1