Gitelman Syndrome with Normal Serum Magnesium

Gitelman syndrome is an autosomal recessive renal tubular disorder characterized by hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis, and it is distinguished from Batter syndrome by hypomagnesemia and hypocalciuria. This disorder is caused by mutation in SLC12A3 gene which encodes thiazide-sensitive Na(+)-Cl(-)cotransporter (NCCT) which is expressed in the apical membrane of cells, lining distal convoluted tubule. A 8-year old boy who presented with Rolandic epilepsy, and horseshoe kidney accidentally showed clinical features of metabolic alkalosis, hypokalemia, hypocalciuria without hypomagnesemia. So we identified a heterozygote mutation and an abnormal splicing in the SLC12A3 gene, encoding NCCT. The mutation was detected in the exon 15 and 22 of SLC12A3 gene.

A Case of Gitelman Syndrome Presented with Epileptic Seizure

Both Gitelman syndrome and Bartter syndrome are autosomal recessively inherited renal tubular disorders characterized by hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis, salt wasting and normal to low blood pressure. Gitelman syndrome is caused by mutations in the thiazide-sensitive Na- Cl cotransporter (NCCT) and distinguished from Bartter syndrome, which is associated with mutations of several genes, by the presence of hypomagnesemia and hypocalciuria. In most of the patients with Gitelman syndrome, the disease manifests with transient episodes of muscular weakness and tetany in the adult period, but, often, is asymptomatic. We report here an 11 years-old female with Gitelman syndrome who presented with aggravation of epileptic seizure. The diagnostic work-up showed typical clinical features of metabolic alkalosis, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia and hypocalciuria. We also identified a heterozygote mutation(642CGC(Arg)>TGC(Cys)) and an abnormal splicing in the SLC12A3 gene encoding NCCT.