American Board of Pathology (ABPath) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The most common form of cystic disease observed in neonates is indeed represented by various conditions that typically manifest as kidney cysts, such as polycystic kidney disease, multicystic dysplastic kidney, and simple renal cysts. Each of these conditions can present in neonates and has its own defining characteristics:

- Polycystic kidney disease is characterized by the development of numerous cysts in the kidneys, which is often shown in neonatal imaging. While it can manifest at different ages, its identification in the neonatal population is a critical concern.

- Multicystic dysplastic kidney is another prevalent condition where one kidney is largely replaced by cysts and is often due to an early developmental abnormality. This condition is particularly important to recognize because it can impact urinary function and overall health in the affected neonate.

- Simple renal cysts can occur in neonates, though they are generally less serious than the other two conditions. However, their occurrence contributes to the overall prevalence of cystic kidney diseases found in this age group.

Given that all these conditions can be observed in neonates, the answer is inclusive of the spectrum of cystic diseases seen in this population, solidifying the recognition that they all contribute to the most common forms of