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Pediatric Nephrology
Published in: Pediatric Nephrology 3/2018

01-03-2018 | Original Article

Hyperammonemia associated with distal renal tubular acidosis or urinary tract infection: a systematic review

Authors: Caterina M. Clericetti, Gregorio P. Milani, Sebastiano A. G. Lava, Mario G. Bianchetti, Giacomo D. Simonetti, Olivier Giannini

Published in: Pediatric Nephrology | Issue 3/2018

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Abstract

Background

Hyperammonemia usually results from an inborn error of metabolism or from an advanced liver disease. Individual case reports suggest that both distal renal tubular acidosis and urinary tract infection may also result in hyperammonemia.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature on hyperammonemia secondary to distal renal tubular acidosis and urinary tract infection was conducted.

Results

We identified 39 reports on distal renal tubular acidosis or urinary tract infections in association with hyperammonemia published between 1980 and 2017. Hyperammonemia was detected in 13 children with distal renal tubular acidosis and in one adult patient with distal renal tubular acidosis secondary to primary hyperparathyroidism. In these patients a negative relationship was observed between circulating ammonia and bicarbonate levels (P < 0.05). In 31 patients (19 children, 12 adults), an acute urinary tract infection was complicated by acute hyperammonemia and symptoms and signs of acute neuronal dysfunction, such as an altered level of consciousness, convulsions and asterixis, often associated with signs of brain edema, such as anorexia and vomiting. Urea-splitting bacteria were isolated in 28 of the 31 cases. The urinary tract was anatomically or functionally abnormal in 30 of these patients.

Conclusions

This study reveals that both altered distal renal tubular acidification and urinary tract infection may be associated with relevant hyperammonemia in both children and adults.
Footnotes
1
“Ammonia” [2] can exist in two molecular forms, NH3 (free ammonia) and NH4 + (ammonium cation). Throughout this review, “ammonia” refers to the combination of both molecules; “NH3” refers specifically to the molecular form of NH3; “NH4 +” refers specifically to the molecular form NH4 +.
 
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Metadata
Title
Hyperammonemia associated with distal renal tubular acidosis or urinary tract infection: a systematic review
Authors
Caterina M. Clericetti
Gregorio P. Milani
Sebastiano A. G. Lava
Mario G. Bianchetti
Giacomo D. Simonetti
Olivier Giannini
Publication date
01-03-2018
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Pediatric Nephrology / Issue 3/2018
Print ISSN: 0931-041X
Electronic ISSN: 1432-198X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-017-3829-7

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