Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD).

Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) is an important hereditary early childhood nephropathy. However, the clinical ARPKD spectrum is much more variable than is generally presumed. Presentation of ARPKD at a later age and survival into adulthood is well known. Diagnostic criteria, clinical course, differential diagnoses, genetics and molecular biology will be discussed along with the advantages and limitations of mutation detection in clinical practice.