Transient renal tubular acidosis in pregnancy

Renal tubular acidosis in pregnancy is a very rare disorder. Most cases are either inherited or secondary to maternal disease or ingestion of toxic chemicals. We report a 22-year-old woman, previously healthy, who presented at 27 weeks of gestation with preterm labor. Investigation revealed renal tubular acidosis with no obvious etiology. Labor was stopped with various tocolytic drugs and her electrolyte imbalance was corrected. She was delivered at 36 weeks, by cesarean for a nonreassuring fetal heart tracing, of an appropriate-for-gestational-age infant weighing 2905 g. Evaluation 3 and 6 months postpartum revealed gradual, but complete resolution of the acidosis and electrolyte abnormality. The infant is now 7 months old, is growing normally with normal electrolytes, and with no evidence of acidosis.