Bartter Syndrome

What is Bartter Syndrome?

Bartter syndrome is a rare inherited congenital defect that affects the kidneys. It is caused by genetic mutations. Bartter syndrome is of two types – Neonatal Bartter syndrome and classic Bartter syndrome. The syndrome means that your kidneys are unable to reabsorb Sodium and you lose it in urine. If you have Bartter syndrome, you are likely to have hypokalemia or low potassium level, alkalosis or increased pH value of blood and low blood pressure. Although another disorder called Gitelman syndrome is closely associated, it is milder than Bartter syndrome.

The main effects of the syndrome are loss of Sodium in urine, rise in the level of aldosterone hormone, potassium wasting (excessive removal of Potassium from the body), hypokalemic alkalosis (abnormal acid balance in blood), and loss of Calcium in urine.

Symptoms

In most cases, neonatal Bartter syndrome happens during the twenty-fourth to thirtieth week of gestation with polyhydramnios or excessive amniotic fluid. Because of this, the infant will have condition known as polyuria or excessive urination and polydipsia or excessive consumption of fluids. If the infant does not receive requisite quantities of fluids, the complications could be life-threatening.  Although these symptoms begin at the first two years after birth, they are most likely diagnosed only after the child is in schooling age.

Symptoms include:

  • Growth failure - Rate of weight gain is much lower than that of other children of similar age and gender
  • Constipation
  • Low blood pressure
  • Kidney stones
  • Muscle cramping and weakness
  • Higher urination frequency

Causes

Bartter syndrome is caused due to genetic mutations during the birth of the child. The causes of Bartter syndrome are unknown yet.

Risks

The risk factors of Bartter syndrome remain unknown, because the disease has its origins in genetic mutations of unknown causes.

Prevention

There are no known prevention methodologies for Bartter syndrome, because the disease results from mutations of the genes.

How is it diagnosed?

Most kidney-related issues cause blood pressure, but Bartter syndrome causes low blood pressure. The above-mentioned symptoms could happen in people who take too many diuretics and laxatives. At Me...

How is it treated?

If you have Bartter syndrome, your nephrologist from Medanta may recommend the following treatment procedures to cure you 

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  • Dietary Changes

     Liberal amounts of Sodium and Potassium need to be included in the food consumed.

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