Childhood Bartter's syndrome: An Indian case series
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Fingerprinting Cardiolipin in Leukocytes by Mass Spectrometry for a Rapid Diagnosis of Barth Syndrome
Published on: March 23, 2022
K Sampathkumar1, U Muralidharan, A Kannan
1Department of Nephrology, Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre, Madurai - 625 107, India.
Insights
Early diagnosis of Bartter
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Endocrinology
- Genetics
Background:
- Bartter's syndrome (BS) is a rare inherited renal tubulopathy.
- It is characterized by salt wasting, leading to electrolyte imbalances.
- Early diagnosis and management are crucial for affected children.
Observation:
- A retrospective analysis identified seven pediatric cases of Bartter's syndrome.
- Presenting symptoms included failure to thrive, vomiting, polyuria, and dehydration.
- All patients were normotensive with significant electrolyte abnormalities.
Findings:
- Children presented with metabolic alkalosis, hypokalemia, hypochloremia, and hyponatremia.
- Elevated serum renin and aldosterone levels confirmed the diagnosis.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like indomethacin and ibuprofen showed significant therapeutic benefits.
Implications:
- A high index of suspicion is vital for diagnosing Bartter's syndrome in infants with failure to thrive.
- NSAID therapy can markedly improve the clinical condition and well-being of affected children.
- This study highlights the importance of recognizing and managing BS in pediatric populations.
Abstract:
This is a retrospective analysis of children diagnosed with Bartter's syndrome (BS) between 2001 and 2009 in our hospital. Seven children (six males) were diagnosed with BS. The mean age at presentation was 6.5 ± 4.9 months. The presenting features were failure to thrive,vomiting, polyuria, and dehydration. All children were normotensive at admission. The children exhibited alkalemia (pH, 7.58 ± 0.03), hypokalemia (serum potassium, 2.62 ± 0.47 mEq/l), hypochloremia (serum chloride, 82.83 ± 16.7 mEq/l), and hyponatremia (serum sodium, 126.85 ± 3.56 mEq/l). Disproportionate urinary wasting of sodium, potassium, and chloride were seen. The diagnosis was confirmed by elevated serum levels of both renin and aldosterone with normotension. Indomethacin or ibuprofen therapy resulted in marked improvement in general condition of these children. In conclusion, a high index of suspicion should be entertained in children with failure to thrive to diagnose BS. Therapy with NSAIDs leads to marked improvement in the general well being.
Related Concept Videos
Barrett Esophagus-I: Introduction
This constant acid exposure transforms the esophagus's pink mucosal lining (stratified squamous epithelium) into a type of lining more similar...
Barrett Esophagus-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
To diagnose Barrett's esophagus, healthcare providers often recommend an endoscopy for those showing symptoms of acid reflux. The procedure entails...
Esophageal Strictures-II: Clinical Features and Management
Healthcare providers should gather a comprehensive medical history and conduct a physical examination for diagnosis. If esophageal stricture is...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
Esophageal Varices-II: Clinical Features and Management
In the initial assessment, a thorough review of the patient's medical history is vital to identify risk factors such as liver disease, alcohol abuse, or...
Pyloric Obstruction
