Priya Sharma Priya Sharma Asked 6 months ago

How rare is it to be born with one kidney?

My cousin just had a baby, and during the scans, they found out the baby has only one kidney. It sounds quite unusual to me. I was wondering how often this actually happens, like how rare is it to be born this way?

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5 answers

Sarika Joshi Sarika Joshi Joined Jan 2026 6 months ago
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It is somewhat rare, but many people live their whole lives with one kidney without even knowing it! Just make sure to drink plenty of water and drink warm barley water occasionally to keep the kidney clean. Avoid heavy salt and always consult a doctor before taking strong painkillers.

Manish Gupte Manish Gupte Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

It is called renal agenesis and is relatively rare, about 1 in 1000 people. If you have only one kidney, you have to be extra careful about your blood pressure and blood sugar levels to avoid putting extra stress on it. Eat a balanced diet, limit sodium, and get regular kidney function tests.

Anjali Rao Anjali Rao Joined Feb 2026 6 months ago

It affects roughly 1 in 1000 to 2000 births, so it is uncommon but well-known. I track my daily hydration on my smartwatch, and for single-kidney health, staying hydrated is key. Just keep an eye on your routine lab work and avoid contact sports if recommended by your doctor.

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Consult a nephrologist

Rohan Das Rohan Das Joined Feb 2026 6 months ago

My college roommate actually has only one kidney since birth! He lives a totally normal life, plays football, and hangs out just like the rest of us. It is rare but honestly not a big deal if you take basic care.

Vikram Sethi Vikram Sethi Joined May 2026 5 months ago

It is quite rare, but you can live a perfectly delicious life with just one! You might just need to go a bit easy on heavy protein shakes or extremely salty junk food cravings to keep that single kidney happy. Enjoy home-cooked meals and stay healthy!

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