Living with Bartter syndrome
A group of kidney conditions that upset the body's balance of potassium, salt, and related minerals.
Understanding Bartter syndrome
Some forms are apparent before birth, with extra amniotic fluid. Starting in infancy, children may not grow and gain weight as expected and lose extra salt in the urine, leading to dehydration, constipation, and extra urine. Calcium loss can weaken bones, and calcium can build up in the kidneys. Low potassium can cause muscle weakness, cramps, and tiredness. Hearing loss is rare.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Short stature
- Poor growth and weight gain (failure to thrive)
- Dehydration and extra urine
- Muscle weakness, cramps, and fatigue
- Low potassium in the blood
- Calcium buildup in the kidneys
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include genetic specialists and kidney specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Genetic specialists (geneticists); Kidney specialists (nephrologists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with National Kidney Foundation and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
Changes in genes (also called variants) cause this condition, and there are several types by gene. GARD lists autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, and X-linked inheritance.
Also known as: aldosteronism with hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex; bartter disease; bartter syndrome with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis; bartter's syndrome; hypokalemic alkalosis; renal tubular normotensive hypokalemic alkalosis with hypercalciuria
Patient organizations
- National Kidney FoundationKidney diseases · United States
- Renal Support NetworkKidney diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Bartter syndrome.
Explore research for Bartter syndrome
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- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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