Bartter’s Syndrome – Hypokalemic Renal Tubular Syndrome

Overview

Hypokalemia is associated with some renal diseases manifested by renal tubular acidosis (type I and II) or by renaltubular syndrome (Bartter’s, Gitelman’s and Liddle’s syndrome). Bartter’s syndrome, originally described by Batterand colleagues in 1962, is a set of closely related renal tubular disorders characterized by hypokalemia, hypochloremia,metabolic alkalosis and hyperreninemia with normal blood pressure. The underlying renal abnormality resultsin excessive urinary losses of sodium, chloride, potassium and calcium. Muscle weakness, polydipsia, polyuria andmental retardation can be also present. Affected children have poor growth rates and they appear malnourished. Thearticle is focused on ethiopathogenesis, laboratory and clinical characteristics and on the treatment of Bartter’ssyndrome.

Key words:
Bartter’s syndrome, hypocalemic renal tubular syndrome, hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis.