Actor Mel Gibson has a horseshoe kidney. Other notable persons with this condition include Sam Kinison, a popular American comedian, and Natalie Baitson, a famous singer from Gibraltar.
Not Medical Advice: According to Urology Care Foundation, Horseshoe Kidney, also known as Renal Fusion, occurs in about 1 in 500 children. It occurs during fetal development as the kidneys move into their normal position.
With horseshoe kidney, as the kidneys of the fetus rise from the pelvic area, they become attached (“fuse”) together at the lower end or base. By fusing, they form into a U shape, like a horseshoe. This is thought to happen more often in males than in females.
Up to 7 out of 10 children and adults with this abnormality will have symptoms. These can include:
Pain in the belly
Nausea
Kidney stones
Urinary Tract Infections
Treatment may not be needed if there are no symptoms. There isn’t a cure for horseshoe kidney, but the symptoms can be treated if they cause problems.
Blockage of urine flow (“obstruction”) and urine flowing backwards from the bladder (“vesicoureteral reflux”) are very common in patients with horseshoe kidney. These can both be fixed with surgery.
Check out some tips to help keep your kidneys healthy, shared by National Institutes of Health.