Bartter Syndrome

Alternative names: Potassium wasting

Definition:Bartter Syndrome refers to a rare group of conditions that affect thekidneys.
People with Bartter Syndrome have a loss of Potassium(hypokalemic alkalosis) and a rise in the hormone aldosterone.

Causes:
In some cases Bartter Syndrome may be genetic and the condition is present before birth (congenital).
Thecondition is thought to be caused by a defect in the kidney's abilityto reabsorb potassium.
As a result, the kidneys remove too muchpotassium from the body. This is also known as Potassium wasting.

Symptoms:
This disease usually occurs in childhood and the Symptoms include:

• Constipation
  
• Growth failure
  
• Increased frequency of urination
  
• Muscle cramping and weakness.
  

Exams and tests:



Thediagnosis of bartter syndrome is usually made by finding low levels ofpotassium in the blood.
The potassium level is usually less than 2.5mmol/L unlike other forms of kidney disease,
this condition dose notcause high blood pressure.
Other signs of this syndrome include:

• High levels of potassium, calcium & chloride in the urine
  
• High levels of the hormones renin & aldosterone in the blood.
  
• Low blood chloride
  
• Metabolic alkalosis
  

Thesesame signs and symptoms can also occour in people who have taken toomany diuretics and laxatives.
Urine tests can be done to rule out thesecauses.
Inbartter syndrome a biopsy of the kidney typically shows too much growthof kidney cells called the juxtaglomerular apparatus.
However, this isnot found in all patients, especially in young children.

Treatment:
Bartter Syndrome is treated by keeping the blood potassium levels above 3.5 mmol/L.
This is done by the following a diet rich in potassium.
Manypatients also needs salt & magnesium supplements,
as well asmedicine that blocks the kidney's ability to get rid of potassium. Highdoses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be also used.

Possible complications:
Kidney failure is a possible complication