A Variant of Bartter's Syndrome

ABSTRACT. A case of early onset Bartter's syndrome associated with hydramnios, prematurity, hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis is reported. A literature review of Bartter's syndrome supports the hypothesis that the findings in this infant constitute a specific variant of Bartter's syndrome inherited in an autosomal recessive mode. Fetal polyuria in Bartter's syndrome leads to hydramnios, and the excess fluid causes premature birth. This variant of Bartter's syndrome should be included in the differential diagnosis of hydramnios, especially if the woman has had previous hydramnios resulting in a perinatal death. The disorder responds to treatment with indomethacin.     

Bartter's syndrome in Arabic children: review of 13 cases

BACKGROUND: Bartter's syndrome (BS) is an inherited disease of renal potassium wasting characterized by hypokalemic alkalosis, normal blood pressure, vascular insensitivity to pressor agents and elevated plasma concentrations of renin and aldosterone. It is caused by generalized hyperplasia of the juxtaglomerular apparatus at the site of renin production caused by mutations in the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter gene, NKCC2. The objective of our study is to establish the prevalence and incidence of BS in Kuwait and to assess treatment modalities for it. METHODS AND RESULTS: Bartter's syndrome was diagnosed in 13 Kuwaiti children over a 14 year period (1981-1995) with the estimated incidence of 1.7/100,000 live births. The mean age at diagnosis was 9.3 months (range 2-32 months). There were five males and eight females (ratio 1:1.6). The mean duration of follow up was 5.6 years (1-14 years). Both consanguinity and familial history among our patients were high (69 and 54%, respectively). All patients had hypokalemia, hypochloremia with metabolic alkalosis, hyperreninemia and were normotensive. Clinical presentation was essentially similar to that in other series. Eleven patients (85%) had growth failure, two had nephrocalcinosis (15%) and one had renal failure. All patients were treated with supplemental potassium, an aldosterone antagonist (spironolactone) and a prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor (indomethacin or aspirin) sequentially. Significant catch-up of growth (four patients) and increases in serum potassium (eight patients) were recorded after administration of indomethacin therapy. One patient died of severe pneumonia with respiratory failure from hypokalemic myopathy. Clinical presentation, inheritance, complications and therapy of BS are briefly discussed. CONCLUSION: Bartter's syndrome is a rare disease, but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of other disorders with growth failure and/or hypokalemia. Early diagnosis, close follow up and compliance with treatment may lead to appropriate growth and development.     

Indomethacin treatment of infantile cortical periostosis in twins

Twin girls presented with infantile cortical periostosis (Caffey's disease) at 2 and 3 weeks of age, respectively. This disorder initially involved their upper and lower limbs and resulted in fever, irritability and tenderness. X-rays showed extensive periosteal new bone formation. Multiple relapses occurred in the first year of life and during some of these relapses mandibular and clavicular involvement was noted. Prednisolone, 1 mg/kg per day, was used to treat relapses until 9 months of age. Indomethacin therapy at this age at a dose of 3 mg/kg per day allowed the cessation of prednisolone therapy and disease flares were thereafter infrequent and responsive to indomethacin.     

Increased Plasma and Erythrocyte Selenium Concentrations but Decreased Erythrocyte Glutathione Peroxidase Activity after Selenium Supplementation in Children with Down Syndrome

ABSTRACT. An investigation was made of the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in erythrocytes and the levels of selenium in plasma and erythrocytes before, during and after selenium supplementation in children with Down syndrome (DS). This subject is of interest since it has been suggested that selenium supplementation could enhance the GSH-Px activity in erythrocytes, probably leading to unproved protection against oxygen radicals, which might cause damage by lipid peroxidation, especially in the brain. Forty-eight children with DS were treated with selenium-rich yeast tablets (10 μg/kg body weight/day) for 6 months. The supplementation was well tolerated and no side effects were observed. Selenium supplementation resulted in increased concentrations of selenium both in plasma and erythrocytes, but decreased GSH-Px-activity in erythrocytes. Plasma and erythrocyte selenium levels had almost regained the initial values 12 months after termination of the supplementation. Erythrocyte GSH-Px activity, on the other hand, remained reduced and did not return to the presupplementation levels. Until we gain more knowledge about the biological functions of selenium in man and the role of oxygen metabolism in the development of presenile dementia in DS, universal selenium supplementation in DS patients cannot be recommended.     

LOWE'S SYNDROME: Absence of Amino Acid Transport Defect in Cultured Fibroblasts

Transport of lysine and glycine was studied in cultured fibroblasts of a patient with Lowe's oculocerebrorenal syndrome. Although patients with this syndrome demonstrate renal and intestinal amino acid transport defects, no abnormality was found in our study.     

难治性肾病综合征患儿生长激素-胰岛素样生长因子轴的变化及意义

目的：观察难治性肾病综合征(RNS)患儿生长激素(GH)-胰岛素样生长因子(IGF)轴的变化及意义。方法：计算26例RNS患儿的身高标准差积分(HtSDS),以双抗放射免疫法和免疫放射法检测血、尿IGFI及其结合蛋白3(IGFBP3)水平和血GH基础值,以同年龄组正常儿童(NC组,n=18)作对照。结果：RNS组血IGFI(152.68±120.95) ng/ml,IGFBP3(2 183.33±1 711.33) ng/ml低于NC组(255.68±46.92) ng/ml,(4 333.87±1 122.00) ng/ml,(P<0.05),尿IGFI(5.32±2.84) ng/mg肌酐,IGFBP3(16.38±8.55) ng/mg肌酐高于NC组(0.90±0.37) ng/mg肌酐,(5.13±1.64) ng/mg肌酐,(P<0.05);RNS组的血GH水平虽低于NC组,但P>0.05。RNS组身高标准差积分(HtSDS)(-0.42±0.75)低于NC组(0.30±0.17),(P<0.05)。结论：RNS患儿存在GHIGF轴的变化,此变化为RNS患儿生长障碍的主要原因之一。     

全身炎症反应综合征患儿血内毒素、脂多糖结合蛋白/脂多糖受体水平变化的意义

目的研究血内毒素(LPS)、脂多糖结合蛋白(LBP)/脂多糖受体(mCD14)在全身炎症反应综合征(SIRS)发生发展过程中的作用。方法随机选取SIRS患儿30例,健康对照组21例。测定二组患儿血LPS、LBP、mCD14水平,LPS采用鲎试剂动态比浊定量测定法,LBP采用酶联免疫法,mCD14采用流式细胞分析技术。结果SIRS组血浆LBP水平、外周血单核细胞mCD14平均荧光强度(MFI)、血LPS水平较对照组均显著增高(Pa<0.001),且LBP、mCD14随血LPS水平的升高而增高,二者呈明显正相关(r=0.578 Pa<0.001)。结论LPS、LBP/mCD14参与SIRS的发病过程,LPS可上调LBP/mCD14的表达,LBP/mCD14表达的上调可能是机体增敏LPS作用的分子机制。