Neonatal Bartter syndrome--use of indomethacin in the newborn period and prevention of growth failure.

Neonatal Bartter syndrome differs from the classical Bartter syndrome in the occurrence of antenatal presentation with polyhydramnios. Nephrocalcinosis and severe growth retardation are common sequelae. Indomethacin has been reported to improve linear growth, but its use in the early newborn period has been infrequently described. In this paper we report normal growth and development and the absence of nephrocalcinosis in an infant now aged 19 months with neonatal Bartter syndrome treated from day 3 of life with indomethacin. With early diagnosis and treatment with indomethacin plus adequate water, calories, and sodium, normal growth can be achieved and nephrocalcinosis may be prevented in children with neonatal Bartter syndrome.