A prospective study of growth in children with renal tubular acidosis and the effect of treatment

Abstract

Objective: The present study was undertaken to evaluate complications in children adequately treated with distal renal tubular acidosis (RTA). Also study was extended to identify factors influencing their development and effect of treatment during the course of study. Materials and Methods: The patients identified and diagnosed with primary distal RTA and suffering from more than 2 years at this hospital were reviewed and records were maintained. Case records were examined for age at onset of symptoms and at initiation of treatment, treatment protocols, follow-up and complications. The various parameters related to growth velocity like height, weight were expressed as standard deviation score (SDS) during the course of study and data have been assessed with regression analysis. P value of less than 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: Of 30 patients (nineteen boys), the diagnosis was established at the median (range) age of 6 yr (1.5-13 yr). These patients were followed up for an average period of 4 yr (2-18.5 yr). Short stature (height SDS< –2) was noted in all patients at the time of diagnosis with median (range) height SDS of –5.2 (–7.5 - –0.4). All patients had failure to thrive with median (range) weight SDS of –3 (–5.7 - –1.5). Height SDS increased by median (range) of 2 (1.2-5.5) to become –2.7 (–4.8 - –1.1) at last follow-up. Conclusion: There is a need for early diagnosis, appropriate treatment and regular follow-up of patients with distal RTA for improving outcome.