Assessing Nephron Hyperplasia in Fetal Congenital Solitary Functioning Kidneys by Measuring Renal Papilla Number

Congenital solitary functioning kidney (CSFK) is caused by unilateral renal agenesis or multicystic dysplastic kidney, often diagnosed using fetal ultrasound (fUS) during pregnancy.1,2 The contralateral healthy kidney is usually enlarged.3 In theory, CSFK leads to low nephron endowment, causing glomerular hyperfiltration, nephron hypertrophy, and consequent long-term renal injury.4 However, a study we performed on slaughter pig CSFKs showed nephron hyperplasia (ie, an increase in number of functioning nephrons) with a concurrent increase in renal papilla number (RPN).

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