Many substances are secreted or reabsorbed in the renal tubule system, including electrolytes, protons, HCO₃ molecules, and free water. Dysfunction of these processes can result in clinical syndromes. Syndromes are inherited, acquired, or both. Syndromes that almost always manifest in childhood (eg, Bartter syndrome, Gitelman syndrome, cystinuria, Hartnup disease, and hypophosphatemic rickets) are discussed in Congenital Renal Transport Abnormalities.

Last full review/revision April 2013 by James I. McMillan, MD