Bartter syndrome (patient information)

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Bartter syndrome
ICD-10 E26.8
ICD-9 255.13
OMIM 601678 241200 607364 602522
DiseasesDB 1254
MeSH D001477

Bartter syndrome

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Who is at highest risk?

When to seek urgent medical care?

Diagnosis

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Bartter syndrome?

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Assistant Editors-In-Chief: Alexandra M. Palmer, Kristin Feeney, B.S. [2]

Overview

Bartter syndrome refers to a rare group of genetic conditions that affect the kidneys. People with Bartter syndrome have a loss of potassium (hypokalemic alkalosis) and a rise in the hormone aldosterone.

What are the symptoms of Bartter syndrome?

This disease usually occurs in childhood. Symptoms include:

Gitelman syndrome can present with similar symptoms.

What causes Bartter syndrome?

In some cases, Bartter syndrome may be genetic and the condition is present from before birth (congenital).

The condition is thought to be caused by a defect in the kidney's ability to reabsorb potassium. As a result, the kidneys remove too much potassium from the body. This is also known as potassium wasting.

Who is at highest risk?

Anyone with a family history of Bartter syndrome is at risk.

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your health care provider if your child is:

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Bartter syndrome is usually made by finding low levels of potassium in the blood. The potassium level is usually less than 2.5 mEq/L. Unlike other forms of kidney disease, this condition does not cause high blood pressure. Other signs of this syndrome include:

These same signs and symptoms can also occur in people who have taken too many diuretics or laxatives. Urine tests can be done to rule out these causes.

In Bartter syndrome, a biopsy of the kidney typically shows too much growth of kidney cells called the juxtaglomerular apparatus. However, this is not found in all patients, especially in young children.

Treatment options

Bartter syndrome is treated by keeping the blood potassium level above 3.5 mEq/L. This is done by following a diet rich in potassium.

Many patients also need salt and magnesium supplements, as well as medicine that blocks the kidney's ability to get rid of potassium. High doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may also be used.

Where to find medical care for Bartter syndrome?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Bartter syndrome

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

The long-term outlook for patients with Bartter syndrome is not certain. Infants who have severe growth failure may grow normally with treatment. Although most patients remain well with ongoing treatment, some develop kidney failure.

Possible complications

Kidney failure is a possible complication.

Sources

National Library of Medicine


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