Absent kidney

Absent kidney can be due to surgical removal (nephrectomy), or it can also occur genetically and is then called renal agenesis.

Renal agenesis is a condition when the kidney never formed during fetal development.

Agenesis is usually unilateral and is not a major health concern as long as the other kidney is healthy.

It is usually detected during prenatal ultrasounds.

Bilateral agenesis is rare and would be detected prenatally or at birth.