Rare kidney conditions

Rare kidney conditions affect around 70 in 100,000 people. Nearly all children with end-stage CKD have a rare disease. For at least 3 in 5 children and 1 in 9 adults with end-stage kidney disease, kidney failure is due to rare disease.

  • Rare renal conditions: an overview

  • Living with a rare condition

  • Community support for rare kidney conditions

Rare conditions

Rare kidney disease can be hard to diagnose, and patient information can be difficult to find if the number of people living with the condition is small. Read on for an overview of 20 rare renal conditions and links to more detailed patient support.
More information about rare kidney conditions

Rare kidney diseases are 'collectively common' and severely disrupting children's lives

Over 150 kidney conditions classed as ‘rare’ together affect over 160,000 people in the UK and cause devastating disruptions to the lives of patients, particularly children, according to a report from Kidney Research UK.

Read the full story

Your experience of living with rare renal disease

  • Rare renal, Transplant

    Sarah's story: living with aHUS

    Sarah was diagnosed with aHUS when she was less than two years old. From failed transplants to the importance of support networks, Sarah talks about her experience of kidney disease.

  • Haemodialysis, Kidney conditions, Kidney failure, Rare renal

    Kieran's story: living with nephrotic syndrome

    Kieran talks about how living with a rare renal condition meant getting stared at by children, and how the Young Adult Kidney Group has helped him get into a better place.

  • Rare renal

    Stewart's story: living with vasculitis

    Stewart's diagnosis of vasculitis has affected everything in his life, but he doesn't let the bad days overwhelm the good. After all, his granddaughter has to make someone laugh.

"As someone whose daughter has Alport syndrome, it has been amazing connecting with other families."

From the challenges of balancing a rare renal disease with work and relationships, to the support available for people living with Alport syndrome, Hannah Russell and Susie Gear from the charity Alport UK share their experiences.

Group photo taken at the Alport UK Cardiff Bay away day.

Living with a rare kidney condition: your stories

  • Kidney conditions, Rare renal, Transplant

    Alex and Will's story: PKD and transplantation

  • Kidney conditions, Rare renal

    Eloise's story: living with cystinosis

  • Kidney conditions, Kidney failure, Peritoneal dialysis, Rare renal, Transplant

    Mariann's story: living with CKD and PTLD

  • Haemodialysis, Home therapies, Kidney failure, Peritoneal dialysis, Rare renal, Transplant

    Mike's story: living with Alport syndrome

Kidney disease resources for parents and families

infoKID is an information resource about kidney conditions in babies, children and young people, created in partnership with the British Association for Paediatric Nephrology.

infoKID website

Your questions answered: inherited kidney disease with Dr Chan, nephrologist

  • Meet Dr Melanie Chan, inherited kidney disease nephrologist

  • Are some people more likely to have CKD than others?

  • How is an inherited kidney disease actually inherited?

  • What does my inherited kidney disease mean for my children?

  • I have a family history of kidney disease, should I be worried?

  • I have a family history of kidney disease, what should I do?

  • Are there any treatments for my inherited kidney disease?

  • My lifestyle is healthy, why do I have an inherited kidney disease?

Dealing with a rare renal diagnosis as a parent

  • Rare renal

    Rumer's story: living with Bartter syndrome

    Rumer has lived with the rare condition Bartter syndrome her entire life. Mum Amy explains how the disease has affected both of them, from holidaying to making up pillboxes.

  • Kidney conditions, Kidney failure, Rare renal

    Layla's story: living with aHUS

    Layla was diagnosed with aHUS, a rare renal condition. When she is not visiting the Great North Children's Hospital for infusions, she is riding bikes and winning dance competitions.

  • Haemodialysis, Kidney conditions, Rare renal

    Kitty's story: living with nephronophthisis

    For Kitty, a diagnosis with a rare kidney disease meant emergency dialysis and missing out on school. But one donated kidney from her uncle later, Kitty is back living her 'old normal' life.

This webpage has been developed by Kidney Care UK and was funded as a sponsorship by Alexion, Astra Zeneca Rare Disease. All editorial control has been retained by Kidney Care UK.