Distal renal tubular acidosis in sickle cell anemia

Abstract

We report a rare case of two young male siblings with sickle cell anemia who presented with bilateral lower limb deformities, failure to thrive, polyuria, and polydipsia. On investigations, they were found to have normal anion gap metabolic acidosis, hypokalemia, and nephrocalcinosis were seen on ultrasonography of the kidneys. These reports were suggestive of distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA). They were started on oral alkali replacement and potassium therapy with which clinical improvement was seen. Conventionally, renal tubular dysfunction is thought to occur infrequently in patients with sickle cell anemia. Hence, we report this rare association between sickle cell anemia and dRTA.