Renal dysplasia associated with in utero exposure to gentamicin and corticosteroids

We report on a patient with renal cystic dysplasia, whose mother was given gentamicin and corticosteroids early in pregnancy. We speculate that these drugs may be implicated in abnormal nephrogenesis in humans. This speculation is based on gentamicin-induced small kidneys (oligonephronia) in the rat. Renal cystic disease has been demonstrated following glucocorticoid administration early in gestation. We realize that there is no proof for a casual relationship between gentamicin and/or glucocorticoids in the pathogenesis of this patient's renal disease. However, it is possible that renal cystic dysplasia in humans is not solely the result of a genetic defect.