Which inherited conditions can cause chronic kidney disease?

Inherited disorders are among the recognized causes of chronic kidney disease, a condition marked by the progressive loss of the kidneys' ability to filter waste and fluid from the blood.12

Key inherited conditions that can lead to chronic kidney disease include:

• Polycystic kidney disease: A congenital defect characterized by the development of numerous large cysts in one or both kidneys, which can impair function over time.32
• Fabry disease: A sex-linked hereditary disorder caused by a deficiency in the enzyme alpha-galactosidase A. This deficiency leads to the abnormal accumulation of glycosphingolipids in blood vessels, resulting in kidney disturbances and potential failure.42

While diabetes and hypertension remain the most common causes of chronic kidney disease, these inherited conditions contribute to the progressive injury of the nephrons, the functional units of the kidney. Other congenital anomalies and hereditary disorders may also contribute to the development of chronic renal failure.125