Ectopic Kidney: What are the Causes and Symptoms?

Ectopic kidney is a rare kind of birth defect. In this condition, the kidneys are not located in their original position. They may be located below, above, or on the opposite side of its usual position.

Causes of ectopic kidney

Ectopic kidney is a birth defect. When the fetus is developing, it might happen that baby’s first bud of kidney may not appear at the correct position. The kidneys might start to form at the correct place around the pelvis, but sometimes when they start to grow one of the kidney remains in the pelvis or moves higher than the original position. This might also happen that the kidney stops moving towards the correct position. There are certain factors that can lead to this condition:

• Poor development of a kidney bud

• Any kind of defect in the kidney tissue

• Genetic abnormalities

• Exposure of mother to any kind of drug or chemical

Symptoms of ectopic kidney:

Ectopic kidney is a silent disorder as it rarely has any symptoms. However, if you experience these symptoms, it might be because of abnormal positioning of the kidneys, which can lead to blockage and hamper their functioning.

• Frequent urinary tract infections (UTI)

• Lower abdomen pain

• A lump in the abdomen

Ectopic kidney can also lead to conditions like kidney stones, kidney failure and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR).

How to diagnose an ectopic kidney?

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you should visit your doctor immediately. He might suggest a few tests other than the regular blood test for kidney functioning. This will help in the correct diagnoses. Some of the tests you might have to undergo are:

• Ultrasound: An ultrasound gives the idea about the positioning of kidneys and if they are of the right size or not

• Intravenous pyelogram (IVP): It is a kind of X-ray, that uses a special dye. It helps in diagnosing any kind of blockage in the urinary tract.

• Voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG): This is also a kind of x-ray, that is used to check the functioning of bladder and urethra.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This is another test that uses radio waves and magnets and gives a detail of the functioning of internal organs.

You may need treatment for an ectopic kidney if there is any kind of obstruction, reflux, or extensive damage that has happened to the kidney or bladder. But if there is no obstruction you might not require any kind of treatment and you just have to be careful about your diet and exercising routine.