Gitelman syndrome, a rare condition: three clinical cases and pathophysiology review

Authors

  • Daniel Meireles Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto
  • Rafael Figueiredo Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto
  • Liliana Rocha Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto
  • Joaquim Cunha Department of Pediatrics, Centro Hospitalar Tâmega e Sousa
  • Paula Matos Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25753/BirthGrowthMJ.v29.i4.18611

Keywords:

Gitelman syndrome, hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, tubular hypomagnesemia-hypokalemia with hypocalciuria, tubulopathy

Abstract

Introduction: Gitelman syndrome (GS) is a renal tubular disorder characterized by hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, hypomagnesemia, and hypocalciuria. Clinical manifestations are nonspecific. Herein are reported three cases of GS with different age of onset, clinical manifestations, and management.
Case Reports: Case 1 was a sixteen-year-old female, while Cases 2 and 3 presented at an atypical age (seven and eight years). Clinical manifestations mainly consisted of abdominal pain with vomits, together with past history of muscular weakness in Case 1. Diagnosis was based on usual electrolyte abnormalities, such as metabolic alkalosis with hypokalemia. Genetic diagnosis was confirmed in Case 3. Patients were treated with oral potassium, magnesium, and spironolactone, with symptom and electrolytic profile improvement.
Discussion/Conclusions: GS is a rare condition that should be considered in cases of metabolic alkalosis and hypokalemia and all pediatricians should be aware of. Diagnosis is established based on biochemical profile and treatment response.

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Author Biography

Daniel Meireles, Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto

Médico interno de formação específica de Pediatria

References

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Published

2020-11-26

How to Cite

1.
Meireles D, Figueiredo R, Rocha L, Cunha J, Matos P. Gitelman syndrome, a rare condition: three clinical cases and pathophysiology review. REVNEC [Internet]. 2020Nov.26 [cited 2024Mar.29];29(4):204-8. Available from: https://revistas.rcaap.pt/nascercrescer/article/view/18611

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Section

Case Reports

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