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Incomplete distal renal tubular acidosis affects growth in children

Ajay P Sharma1, Raj K Sharma, Rakesh Kapoor

  • 1E6-123, WT, 800, Commissioner's Road E, London Health Sciences Centre, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada N6A5W9. ajay.sharma@lhsc.on.ca

Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation : Official Publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association
|June 9, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Incomplete distal renal tubular acidosis (idRTA) significantly impacts height in children, leading to shorter stature. Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings on pediatric growth.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Endocrinology
  • Skeletal Biology

Background:

  • Incomplete distal renal tubular acidosis (idRTA) is a known cause of recurrent kidney stones.
  • The impact of idRTA on skeletal health, particularly in children, was previously unknown.
  • This study investigates the potential effect of idRTA on height in the pediatric population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if incomplete distal renal tubular acidosis (idRTA) affects height in children.
  • To compare height standard deviation scores (SDS) in children with idRTA to those without, with complete dRTA, and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study evaluated children with posterior urethral valves (PUV) for idRTA and complete dRTA using an ammonium chloride acidification test.
  • Height SDS was compared between groups: idRTA, no dRTA, complete dRTA, and age/gender-matched healthy controls.
  • Multivariate analysis assessed the association between dRTA and height SDS.

Main Results:

  • Children with idRTA exhibited significantly lower mean height SDS compared to those without dRTA and healthy controls.
  • The prevalence of short stature was higher in the idRTA group (18%) than in the non-dRTA group (0%).
  • Children with idRTA had significantly higher height SDS and lower short stature prevalence than those with complete dRTA.

Conclusions:

  • Incomplete distal renal tubular acidosis (idRTA) negatively affects height in children.
  • These findings highlight a previously unrecognized skeletal complication of idRTA in pediatric patients.
  • Further longitudinal studies are recommended to validate these results.
Abstract

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