children s health issues
Bartter Syndrome and Gitelman Syndrome
Introduction
In Bartter syndrome and Gitelman syndrome, a hereditary defect of the kidney tubules causes the kidneys to excrete excessive amounts of electrolytes (potassium, sodium, and chloride), resulting in growth, electrolyte, and sometimes nerve and muscle abnormalities. (See also Introduction to Congenital Kidney Tubular Disorders .) Bartter syndrome and Gitelman syndrome are hereditary and are usually caused by a Recessive disorders ( see Figure: ) normally from the kidney tubule. Thus, the kidneys excrete excessive amounts of the Overview of Electrolytes sodium and chloride in the urine. The loss of sodium and chloride leads to excessive urine production and thus mild Mild dehydration causes the body to produce more of the enzyme renin and the hormone aldosterone, which help regulate blood pressure. The increase in aldosterone increases potassium and acid secretion in the kidneys, leading to low blood potassium ( Hypokalemia (Low Level of Potassium in the Blood) ) and loss of acids in the blood that causes blood pH to be alkaline (a disorder called The main differences between the two syndromes are The genes that are involved The part of the tubule that is affected The age at which symptoms begin 