Renal tubular acidosis in children treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole during therapy for acute lymphoid leukemia.

The antibiotics trimethoprim (TMP) and sulfamethoxazole (SMZ), when used in combination, can cause metabolic acidosis, renal bicarbonate wasting, and growth failure. Retrospective review of repeated random serum chemistries from 10 children receiving TMP-SMZ and maintenance chemotherapy for acute lymphoid leukemia revealed low serum bicarbonate (P = .0002) and elevated serum chloride (P less than .0005) concentrations. These values normalized after all medications were discontinued. Prospective study of 8 children receiving TMP-SMZ and chemotherapy for acute lymphoid leukemia revealed lower serum bicarbonate concentrations and higher urine pH following a dose of TMP-SMZ than paired values obtained more than 3 days after a dose. Four children (50%) met serum bicarbonate and urinary pH criteria for the diagnosis of renal tubular acidosis soon after a dose of TMP-SMZ. The occurrence of TMP-SMZ-induced renal tubular acidosis has implications for the acid-base balance of children receiving TMP-SMZ on a long-term basis.