Thalassemia B with distal renal tubular acidosis: a previously undescribed association.

An infant with beta thalassemia major and distal renal tubular acidosis is described. Screening of forty patients with beta thalassemia major revealed no evidence of renal tubular acidosis. Although the possibility of coincidence cannot be completely excluded, we suggest that beta thalassemia major should be added to the list of conditions associated with distal renal tubular acidosis.