Individuals with Bartter syndrome have a disturbed acid-base ratio associated with a loss of potassium (hypokalemic alkalosis).
Bartter syndrome may be genetic and the condition is present from before birth (congenital). Bartter syndrome refers to a rare group of conditions that affect the kidneys. People with Bartter syndrome have a loss of potassium (hypokalemic alkalosis) and a rise in the hormone aldosterone. Bartter described this combination of juxtaglomerular hyperplasia, hyperaldosteronism, and hypokalemic alkalosis. It is thought to be caused by a defect in the body’s ability to reabsorb potassium.