Renal Tubular Acidosis.Care & specialists in Ireland

Renal tubular acidosis (RTA) is a group of kidney tubular disorders in which the kidneys cannot acidify urine properly, causing a normal-anion-gap metabolic acidosis. The three main types are distal (type 1), proximal (type 2), and hyperkalemic (type 4). Treatment is alkali therapy (potassium citrate or sodium bicarbonate) and management of the underlying cause.

Type 1 (distal): impaired hydrogen-ion secretion in the cortical collecting duct, with hypokalemia, urine pH above 5.5, nephrocalcinosis, and kidney stones. Type 2 (proximal): defective bicarbonate reabsorption, often as part of Fanconi syndrome. Type 4 (hyperkalemic): aldosterone deficiency or resistance, mild acidosis with high potassium, common in diabetic nephropathy.

Common adult causes include autoimmune disease (Sjögren syndrome, lupus), medications (tenofovir, ifosfamide, lithium, amphotericin, trimethoprim, NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors, ARBs), diabetic nephropathy, multiple myeloma, sickle cell disease, and obstructive uropathy. Inherited forms can present in adulthood but usually appear in childhood.

Children with distal RTA typically present with growth failure, vomiting, polyuria, dehydration, and refusal to feed. Older children may have bone pain or fractures from rickets. Some children have sensorineural deafness from ATP6V1B1 mutations. Recurrent kidney stones or nephrocalcinosis may also be the first sign.

Diagnosis requires demonstrating a non-anion-gap metabolic acidosis on blood gas and serum chemistry, then determining the type. Urine pH, serum potassium, and the urinary anion gap differentiate distal, proximal, and hyperkalemic RTA. Confirmatory testing includes the furosemide-fludrocortisone test (distal) or sodium bicarbonate infusion (proximal).

Distal and proximal RTA are treated with alkali therapy — potassium citrate, sodium bicarbonate, or combined preparations. Doses are 1-3 mmol/kg/day in distal RTA and up to 10-15 mmol/kg/day in proximal RTA. Type 4 RTA is treated with low-potassium diet, loop diuretic, fludrocortisone in selected cases, and potassium binders. The underlying cause is treated whenever possible.

Yes. Distal RTA causes hypercalciuria, hypocitraturia, and persistently alkaline urine, all of which favor calcium phosphate stone formation. Bilateral medullary nephrocalcinosis and recurrent calcium phosphate stones should trigger evaluation for distal RTA. Potassium citrate corrects all three abnormalities and reduces stone recurrence by 70-80%.

Some forms are. Autosomal-recessive distal RTA from ATP6V1B1 mutations (often with deafness) and ATP6V0A4 mutations (often without deafness), autosomal-dominant distal RTA from SLC4A1 mutations, and proximal RTA from SLC4A4 mutations are inherited. Acquired RTA from autoimmune disease, drugs, or systemic illness is more common in adults.

Fanconi syndrome is generalized proximal tubular dysfunction with phosphaturia, glycosuria, aminoaciduria, uricosuria, and proximal RTA. Causes include cystinosis, Wilson disease, multiple myeloma with light chains, tenofovir, ifosfamide, valproate, and heavy metal toxicity. Treatment includes high-dose alkali, phosphate, and vitamin D replacement.

Inherited RTA is lifelong but well controlled with alkali therapy. Drug-induced RTA can reverse within months of stopping the offending agent. Autoimmune dRTA may improve with treatment of the underlying disease (Sjögren, lupus). Type 4 RTA from medication is reversible after withdrawal.

Yes. Chronic metabolic acidosis leaches calcium from bone, causing rickets in children and osteomalacia or osteoporosis in adults. Correcting acidosis with alkali therapy, along with adequate calcium and vitamin D, prevents bone disease progression and supports healing of established lesions.

Potassium citrate corrects three problems simultaneously: it provides alkali (citrate metabolized to bicarbonate), replaces potassium lost in distal RTA, and increases urinary citrate, which inhibits calcium phosphate stone formation. It is first-line for distal RTA in both children and adults.

Sjögren syndrome involves lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands and the renal interstitium. Tubulointerstitial inflammation damages type A intercalated cells in the cortical collecting duct, impairing H+ secretion and causing acquired distal RTA. Up to 25% of Sjögren patients have biochemical evidence of dRTA.

Type 4 RTA is the commonest RTA in older adults and is closely associated with diabetic nephropathy. It usually appears as mild hyperkalemia with non-anion-gap acidosis, particularly after starting an ACE inhibitor, ARB, or spironolactone. Treatment is low-potassium diet, loop diuretic, and potassium binders to allow continued RAS blockade.

Yes. Severe hypokalemia in distal RTA causes profound proximal muscle weakness, hyporeflexia, and even ascending paralysis with respiratory compromise. Episodes can be triggered by acute illness, vomiting, or strenuous exercise. Prompt potassium replacement and ongoing alkali therapy prevent recurrence.

Stable adult RTA is monitored with serum chemistry every 6-12 months, urinary calcium and citrate annually, kidney ultrasound every 1-3 years for nephrocalcinosis and stones, and DXA every 1-2 years for bone density. Pediatric patients are reviewed more frequently to track growth and adjust alkali dose with weight.

RTA itself rarely causes end-stage kidney disease when treated early. Untreated severe disease in childhood may lead to nephrocalcinosis and obstructive uropathy, contributing to CKD. In adults, the underlying cause (Sjögren, lupus, myeloma, diabetic nephropathy) often determines the rate of CKD progression.

A DASH-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and plant-based protein increases dietary alkali load and reduces required medication. Limit animal protein, processed meats, and high-sodium foods. Type 4 RTA requires the opposite — low-potassium diet to prevent hyperkalemia. Hydration with 2-3 L water daily reduces stone risk in distal RTA.

Inherited distal RTA is more common in consanguineous populations in the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of South Asia. Sjögren-associated RTA is more common in middle-aged women. Type 4 RTA is more common in older adults with diabetes, particularly Black patients with diabetic nephropathy.

Pregnancy increases bicarbonate needs and can unmask or worsen RTA. Alkali doses are reviewed each trimester. Potassium citrate is preferred over sodium bicarbonate to avoid sodium loading and edema. Multidisciplinary care with high-risk obstetrics and nephrology improves maternal and fetal outcomes.

With consistent alkali therapy and follow-up, most children with distal RTA achieve normal adult height, healthy bones, and stable kidney function. Hearing loss in ATP6V1B1 mutations requires audiology support but is not progressive. Delayed diagnosis leads to permanent short stature, rickets, and stone disease, so early recognition matters.