Bartter syndrome: An infrequent tubulopathy of prenatal onset

Bartter syndrome (BS) is a rare inherited tubulopathy that has two presentation forms, the first one is a severe form of antenatal onset (neonatal Bartter) and the second one is a later on set form during the first years of life (classic Bartter). In the antenatal form, it manifests with fetal polyuria, polyhydramnios of early and severe onset, premature delivery, and intrauterine growth restriction. In the postnatal stage, it presents recurrent episodes of dehydration and electrolyte im balance that can compromise the survival of the patient.

To report a clinical case of neo natal BS and a review of the literature.

Premature newborn of 35 weeks of gestation with history of severe polyhydramnios diagnosed at 27 weeks of gestation, without apparent cause. From birth, the patient presented polyuria and hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis making a diagnosis of Neonatal Bartter Syndrome in the first week of life. Laboratory tests confirmed urinary electrolyte losses. The patient was treated with strict water balance and sodium and potassium supplementa tion, achieving weight and electrolyte imbalance stabilization. The patient remains in control in the nephrology unit, with potassium gluconate and sodium chloride supplementation. At the fourth month, ibuprofen was added as part of treatment. At the seventh month of life, renal ultrasound showed nephrocalcinosis. At one year of life, profound sensorineural hearing loss was observed re quiring a cochlear implant.

The presence of severe polyhydramnios of early onset with no identified cause should lead to suspicion of neonatal BS which even when infrequent determines severe hydroelectrolytic alterations and should be treated early.