Alterations of urinary carbon dioxide tension, electrolyte handling and low molecular weight protein excretion in acute pyelonephritis

Renal tubular function tests were performed in 45 children suffering from upper and lower urinary tract infections. Determinations were made of the urinary carbon dioxide tension in maximally alkaline urine as an index of distal tubular H+-ion secretion, of urinary protein excretion, and of urinary sodium and phosphate handling. Urinary PCO2 was low (2.7 +/- 13.9 mmHg) in acute pyelonephritis compared to values in healthy children (52 +/- 32 mmHg) or those with cystitis (48 +/- 34 mmHg). At the onset of pyelonephritis an elevated fractional excretion of sodium (1.38 +/- 0.38 vs. 0.50 +/- 0.20%) and decreased phosphate reabsorption (69.2 +/- 7.1 vs. 90.4 +/- 4.9%) were also observed. Significantly elevated urinary low molecular weight protein excretion was also found in pyelonephritis. These data indicate the existence of proximal and distal tubular dysfunction at the onset of acute bacterial pyelonephritis.