Introduction:

In recent years, the number of cases with suspected or diagnosed renal tubular acidosis (RTA) that have been sent to the Pediatric Nephrology services has increased, but without corroborating the diagnosis.

Objective:

To describe the frequency of RTA in a Pediatric Nephrology service.

Material and methods:

An observational and descriptive study of patients attended in six years in a third level hospital in Guadalajara, Jalisco was carried out. The information corresponding to all patients with suspected or diagnosed RTA was retreived from clinical records.

Results:

Out of a total of 96 patients, only three (3.1%) presented the clinical and biochemical characteristics compatible with primary RTA. Two more had secondary RTA. In the 91 cases that RTA was ruled out, they only had one or two data that could suggest the diagnosis (mainly growth retardation), and some children were inappropriately treated for RTA.

Conclusion:

It was found that there are multiple cases with false diagnosis of RTA. We hope this information helps to sensitize health personnel to improve the diagnostic process.