Calcium and Hydrogen Ion Metabolism in Children with Classic (Type I/Distal) Renal Tubular Acidosis

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The rate of endogenous acid production was examined in 4 children with classic renal tubular acidosis. The interaction with calcium metabolism was studied by standard balance techniques before and after correction of metabolic acidosis with alkali solutions. The results indicate significant elevation of mean net acid production in the 4 patients (2.3 ± 0.5 mEq/kg/day) as compared to that of the 6 weight-matched normal children (1.4 ± 0.4 mEq/kg/day) (p < 0.05). This is related to elevation of urinary sulfate output. The intestinal absorption of calcium is markedly improved on correction of metabolic acidosis, which is suggestive of interference with vitamin D metabolism. It is concluded that alkali therapy exceeding the conventional 1–2 mEq/kg/day is needed to achieve optimal correction of metabolic acidosis and that the suboptimal calcium balance and increased sulfate excretion contribute to the growth failure in these subjects with renal tubular acidosis.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: