Use of the urine-to-blood carbon dioxide tension gradient as a measurement of impaired distal tubular hydrogen ion secretion among neonates

An infant case of bilateral small kidneys with both proximal and distal tubular dysfunction

A male infant with bilateral small kidneys associated with both proximal and distal tubular dysfunction, who showed chronic renal failure soon after birth, is reported. He was also noted to have both proximal and distal type of renal tubular acidosis. The small kidneys were thought to be due to renal hypodysplasia associated with bilateral severe vesicoureteral reflux, by radiological findings. An alkalization therapy with chemoprophylaxis seemed to be of benefit in slowing the progression of renal failure in this case.