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What Is Bartter Syndrome?

Written by Hope Cristol

 Medically Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on March 12, 2023

Bartter syndrome is a group of similar rare conditions that affect the kidneys. It's genetic, which means it's caused by a problem with a gene.

If you have it, too much salt and calcium leave your body when you pee. It also may cause low levels of potassium and high levels of acid in the blood. If all these are out of balance, you can have many different health problems.

There are two major forms of Bartter syndrome. Antenatal Bartter syndrome starts before birth. It can be very serious, even life threatening. Babies may not grow as they should in the womb, or they may be born too early.

The other form is called classic. It usually starts in early childhood and isn't as severe as the antenatal form. But it can affect growth and cause developmental delays.

Gitelman syndrome is a subtype of Bartter syndrome. It tends to happen later -- usually from age 6 through adulthood.