| *Potters Syndrome* |
| Potters Syndrome is a rare disorder and a term used to describe the total absence or malformation of infant kidneys. A baby born with Bilateral Renal Agenesis (Potters Syndrome) is not compatible with neonatal survivial. This specific condition gets it's name fron Dr. Edith Potter. Her investigation concentrated only on total Renal-Agenesis. Since then this name has been extended to any condition where kidneys fail to develop fully. As a result of kidney absence no Amniotic fluid is produced. The medical term given to describe the lack of Amniotic fluid is called Oligohydramnios, thus unabling lungs of an infant to develop fully causing severe pulmonary hypoplasia, also related to are the characteristics features of an infant described as "Potters Facies", together with further fetal abnormalities which may occur. In vast majority of cases it's an isolated abnormality in which case it's unlikely to happen again in the same family. Rate is between 1 in 2000 and 1and 5000 births. Statistically however once you have had a Potters baby the risk of a recurrence of some kind of kidney defect is 3%. In a few cases there may be abnormality of one kidney from either parent in which case the risk of recurrance is up to 10%. Rarest still is when there is a genetic link to Potters Syndrome where the risk will be as high as 1in 4 pregnancies. There is no explanation as to why it occurs in the first place. It has not yet been discovered just what causes this Syndrome. We may never know seeing there is "No" research being done at this time! Here are some terms that were used and their meanings: Bilateral: having, or related to one side. Unilateral: having or related to two sides. Renal: having to do with the kidneys. Agenesis: lack of development of something....failed to form Pulmonary: having to do with the lungs. Hypoplasia: under development or incomplete development of a tissue or organ. |
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| This page has had this many hits since 17 July 2001 |
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