Anaesthesia for caesarean section in a patient with Gitelman's syndrome.

Gitelman's syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive salt-losing renal tubulopathy characterised by hypomagnesaemia, hypocalciuria and secondary aldosteronism, which results in hypokalaemia and metabolic alkalosis. The syndrome is a variant of a group of renal diseases termed Bartter's syndrome. Diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms and biochemical abnormalities. Sources of information on Gitelman's syndrome in pregnancy are scarce and anaesthetic management is challenging. Close monitoring and supplementation of potassium and magnesium are required to avoid possible obstetric and life threatening complications for both mother and child.