Gitelman's syndrome in pregnancy: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Gitelman's syndrome (GS), a rare renal disorder, results in hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia, hypocalciuria and a metabolic alkalosis. It is unclear if an alteration in management is necessary or beneficial during pregnancy. A 32-year-old woman with GS was managed in her second pregnancy. Antenatally, the patient required 39 (principally day case) admissions to the hospital for intravenous (IV) therapy and received a cumulative total of 47 l of IV 0.9% saline solution, 47 doses of 20 mmol magnesium chloride and 46 doses of 80 mmol potassium chloride. She delivered a 2940-g female infant in excellent condition by caesarean section. We would suggest that close attention to maternal weight gain during pregnancy is an easily available clinical tool to assess adequacy of fluid and electrolyte repletion in this condition.