Renal tubular acidosis.

In the past decade major advances in our understanding of renal tubular hydrogen ion secretion and bicarbonate reabsorption have provided new insight into the pathophysiology of renal tubular acidosis. Thus "fragment to fragment clings" and the number of disorders categorized within the syndrome grows, until we have come to know and name four types, with many subtypes. We hope this new perspective provides a basis for the physician to recognize renal tubular acidosis in its several forms so that an informed decision may be arrived at in choosing the best therapy. The physician may also be prepared to reasonably project the prognosis for each patient. We also hope that our detailed examination of renal acidification will provide a reference for delineation of new clinical expressions of acid-base disorders and kidney malfunction certain to be described in the years ahead.