Objective To determine the frequency of acquired
cystic kidney disease (ACKD) in children on chronic
hemodialysis. Material and methods In this single-center cross-sectional study, 150 children were included who were on chronic
hemodialysis for six months. Ultrasound was done to see the renal
cysts. Cystic changes that could not fulfill the criteria for ACKD were also noted and analyzed. Results The mean age was 14.5 ± 3.5 years, of these 63 (42%) were males. Acquired
cysts were detected in 53 (35%) of the patient and 18 patients (12%) had
solitary cysts. The distribution of these entities was similar across all age groups. The underlying etiologies in the descending order were unknown 64 (43%), stone disease 31 (21%), each of the congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract, and
glomerulonephritis 23 (15%), and others nine (6%). A higher frequency of ACKD was detected in the children on
renal replacement therapy for more than two years (33 out of 53 children, 63% with a p-value of 0.004). Conclusion The ACKD was found in one-third of our
hemodialysis children and its frequency increases with the duration of
hemodialysis. This percentage may not reflect the true prevalence as there is a lack of consensus on the definition of ACKD. Periodic assessment of
chronic kidney disease patients for the development of ACKD especially on chronic
hemodialysis is required to reduce the morbidity.