Prenatal diagnosis to postnatal outcomes in multicystic dysplastic kidney: experience of a tertiary center in the Black Sea region.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the association of unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney in fetuses with genetic disorders, syndromic conditions, accompanying anatomical anomalies, and postnatal prognosis. METHODS: Cases diagnosed with multicystic dysplastic kidney and followed at the Perinatology Clinic of Samsun Ondokuz Mayıs University between January 2012 and June 2024 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic, ultrasonographic, genetic, and postnatal outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-eight fetuses with multicystic dysplastic kidney were identified during intrauterine life. The diagnosis was made via antenatal ultrasonography in 97.2% of cases. Laterality was on the left side in 55.3% and on the right side in 44.7% of multicystic dysplastic kidney cases. The cohort consisted of 42.1% females and 57.9% males. Major extrarenal anomalies were present in 21.1% of fetuses with unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney. Amniocentesis for karyotyping was performed in 23.7% of cases, all of which yielded normal karyotypes. Contralateral kidney anomalies were detected in 13.2% of cases, and ureterocele was observed in 15.8%. The most common postnatal anomalies were ureteropelvic junction obstruction and grade four-five vesicoureteral reflux. During a mean follow-up period of 7 years, no cases of hypertension or Wilms tumor were identified. CONCLUSION: Prenatal diagnosis of multicystic dysplastic kidney is crucial for early detection of potential contralateral kidney anomalies and predicting postnatal outcomes. In cases of isolated multicystic dysplastic kidney, the likelihood of karyotypic abnormalities, malignancies, or hypertension is very low, and the postnatal prognosis is favorable.