[Hypokalemia and hypoevolutism. Description of a case of Bartter's syndrome]

In 1962 Bartter et al. described a clinical syndrome characterized by growth and mental retardation, hypokalemic alkalosis, increased aldosterone secretion rate and increased plasma angiotensin II concentration in the presence of normal blood pressure. The inheritance pattern has been reported as autosomal recessive or as sporadic. Since that time 37 cases have been reported in pediatric age, describing a wide spectrum of clinical and biochemical features. For the diagnosis the following criteria must be present: hypokalemia, hypochloremia, alkalosis, hyperreninemia in the presence of a normal blood pressure and elevated urinary K and Cl excretion, in the absence of other conditions that might cause similar features. A case of Bartter's disease is herein reported with our experience in the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.