Esteemed Pediatric Nephrologist Discusses Childhood Polycystic Kidney Disease

PRLog (Press Release) - May 8, 2012 - Dr. Keith Lau, Associate Professor and Head of the Nephrology Division in the Department of Pediatrics at McMaster University, has clinical interest in various kidney diseases related to inflammation. He also treats children who have hypertension, kidney failure and require dialysis and/or transplantation. He is familiar with both autosomal dominant (ADPKD) and autosomal recessive (ARPKD) polycystic kidney diseases in children and has some specific recommendations he will present at a free public talk on May 20.

“Autosomal dominant and recessive polycystic kidney diseases were previously called adult and infantile forms of PKD, but these names have been abandoned because both forms can be seen throughout different stages of life,” Dr. Lau said. “ADPKD and ARPKD share important pathophysiological features, yet have distinct clinical and genetic features. I will address the approaches to the management of these two diseases when present during childhood and the rationale behind such recommendations.”

His presentation, titled “Polycystic Kidney Diseases: A Pediatrician’s points of view”, will be hosted by the Hamilton Chapter of the PKD Foundation of Canada at St. Joseph’s Charlton Campus in Hamilton. Since PKD affects about one in 500 people, this life-threatening genetic disease is a topic of concern to many families in southwestern and south central Ontario, the chapter coordinator says.

“It is a great privilege for our fledgling chapter to be able to learn about PKD from such a knowledgeable pediatric nephrologist as Dr. Lau. We hope many people will attend and share the information to help others who are affected by PKD, whether they be family members or friends.”

Dr. Lau finished his residency in Pediatrics and fellowship training in Pediatric Nephrology in Tennessee, USA. He is board certified in both Pediatrics and Pediatric Nephrology. Before relocating back to Canada, he served as a Faculty Member at University of California, Davis. He also served as the Interim Associate Program Director.

Dr. Lau’s talk is part of a series of two-hour informational support meetings hosted by the new Hamilton Chapter of the PKD Foundation of Canada. They are open to the public and free of charge.

For more information, visit www.endpkd.ca/Hamilton/index.asp or call 1-877-410-1741.

About Us: The Hamilton Chapter of the PKD Foundation of Canada, (a non-profit), offers informational support meetings free of charge, six times a year.

More than 12 million people worldwide have PKD – one of the most common life-threatening genetic diseases. PKD causes cysts to grow in the kidneys and can lead to kidney failure. Presently dialysis and/or kidney transplantation are the only treatment options.