Nephronophthisis
Last updated 22 Aug 2023
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Nephronophthisis is a disorder that affects the kidneys. It is characterised by inflammation and scarring (fibrosis) that impairs kidney function. These abnormalities lead to increased urine production (polyuria), excessive thirst (polydipsia), general weakness, and extreme tiredness (fatigue). In addition, affected individuals develop fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys, usually in an area known as the corticomedullary region. Another feature of nephronophthisis is a shortage of red blood cells, a condition known as anaemia.
Description
Nephronophthisis is a disorder that affects the kidneys. It is characterised by inflammation and scarring (fibrosis) that impairs kidney function. These abnormalities lead to increased urine production (polyuria), excessive thirst (polydipsia), general weakness, and extreme tiredness (fatigue). In addition, affected individuals develop fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys, usually in an area known as the corticomedullary region. Another feature of nephronophthisis is a shortage of red blood cells, a condition known as anaemia.
Nephronophthisis eventually leads to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), a life-threatening failure of kidney function that occurs when the kidneys are no longer able to filter fluids and waste products from the body effectively. Nephronophthisis can be classified by the approximate age at which ESRD begins: around age 1 (infantile), around age 13 (juvenile), and around age 19 (adolescent).
About 85 percent of all cases of nephronophthisis are isolated, which means they occur without other signs and symptoms. Some people with nephronophthisis have additional features, which can include liver fibrosis, heart abnormalities, or mirror image reversal of the position of one or more organs inside the body (situs inversus).
Nephronophthisis can occur as part of separate syndromes that affect other areas of the body; these are often referred to as nephronophthisis-associated ciliopathies. For example, Senior-Løken syndrome is characterised by the combination of nephronophthisis and a breakdown of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retinal degeneration); Joubert syndrome affects many parts of the body, causing neurological problems and other features, which can include nephronophthisis.
Inheritance patterns
The source lists the following possible inheritance patterns: Autosomal recessive. More than one pattern can apply in different cases.
Related genes
Other names
NPH
NPHP
Further reading and references
- Nephronophthisis; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- Benzing T, Schermer B. Clinical spectrum and pathogenesis of nephronophthisis. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens. 2012 May;21(3):272-8. doi: 10.1097/MNH.0b013e3283520f17.
- Hildebrandt F, Otto E, Rensing C, Nothwang HG, Vollmer M, Adolphs J, Hanusch H, Brandis M. A novel gene encoding an SH3 domain protein is mutated in nephronophthisis type 1. Nat Genet. 1997 Oct;17(2):149-53. doi: 10.1038/ng1097-149.
- Hurd TW, Hildebrandt F. Mechanisms of nephronophthisis and related ciliopathies. Nephron Exp Nephrol. 2011;118(1):e9-14. doi: 10.1159/000320888. Epub 2010 Nov 11.
- Saunier S, Calado J, Benessy F, Silbermann F, Heilig R, Weissenbach J, Antignac C. Characterization of the NPHP1 locus: mutational mechanism involved in deletions in familial juvenile nephronophthisis. Am J Hum Genet. 2000 Mar;66(3):778-89. doi: 10.1086/302819.
- Wolf MT, Hildebrandt F. Nephronophthisis. Pediatr Nephrol. 2011 Feb;26(2):181-94. doi: 10.1007/s00467-010-1585-z. Epub 2010 Jul 22.
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