Neonatal Bartter syndrome: A case report from Northern India

Bartter Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder affecting the renal tubular system causing a decreased absorption of sodium and chloride in the thick ascending limb of the Henle loop. Most children present in infancy with complaints of polyuria, polydipsia, vomiting, constipation and failure to thrive while older children present with recurrent episodes of dehydration, muscle weakness and cramps. The present study aimed to demonstrate a case of Bartter syndrome presenting as acute gastroenteritis.

Neonatal Bartter Syndrome

The neonatal form of Bartter syndrome is characterized by intrauterine onset of polyuria leading to severe polyhydramnios. We report a case of a 31 weeks, male baby was born by emergency Caesarean Section due to severe polyhydramnios (AFI 54). Postnatally, baby had polyuria, dehydration, hyponatremia, hypokalemia and hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis. Possibility of neonatal Bartter syndrome was supported by high serum renin and aldosterone levels. Correction of electrolytes and dehydration along with indomethacin constituted the treatment. This syndrome is reported to make paediatricians aware about the severe neonatal form of the disease.J Nepal Paediatr Soc 2016;36(2):204-207.