Workgroup Congenital malformations & ciliopathies

The work group for congenital malformations & ciliopathies focuses on structural renal disorders that frequently present in childhood. This includes diseases encompassing the spectra of “Congenital abnormalities of the kidney and the urinary tract (CAKUT)” and of “Ciliopathies”. A prominent group of disorders we work on are cystic kidney diseases of childhood. The CAKUT spectrum and the Ciliopathies are clinically, genetically and histologically highly heterogeneous, making treatment and prediction of severe and progressive disease courses challenging. Clear-cut risk factors have not been established for most of the disorders.

Our work group brings together experts from all over Europe, both from Pediatric as well as well as Adult Nephrology centers and includes patient representatives. We aim to lay the foundation for unified clinical treatment concepts and innovative research e.g. towards novel therapeutic strategies. Given the heterogeneity of diseases our work group will closely collaborate with work groups within ERKNet and other ERNs.