BACKGROUND: We aim to review the clinical features of two renal tubular 
disorders characterized by sodium and potassium wasting: Bartter syndrome and 
Gitelman syndrome.
DATA SOURCES: Selected key references concerning these syndromes were analyzed, 
together with a PubMed search of the literature from 2000 to 2011.
RESULTS: The clinical features common to both conditions and those which are 
distinct to each syndrome were presented. The new findings on the genetics of 
the five types of Bartter syndrome and the discrete mutations in Gitelman 
syndrome were reviewed, together with the diagnostic workup and treatment for 
each condition.
CONCLUSIONS: Patients with Bartter syndrome types 1, 2 and 4 present at a 
younger age than classic Bartter syndrome type 3. They present with symptoms, 
often quite severe in the neonatal period. Patients with classic Bartter 
syndrome type 3 present later in life and may be sporadically asymptomatic or 
mildly symptomatic. The severe, steady-state hypokalemia in Bartter syndrome and 
Gitelman syndrome may abruptly become life-threatening under certain aggravating 
conditions. Clinicians need to be cognizant of such renal tubular disorders, and 
promptly treat at-risk patients.