[5 children with hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia and hypocalciuria (Gitelman syndrome) in one family].

Gitelman's syndrome was diagnosed in five siblings. The parents were relatives in the third remove. Gitelman's syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive hereditary magnesium reabsorption defect in the distal tubule. It is characterized by episodes of muscle weakness, usually accompanied by abdominal pain and vomiting. Tetany may occur during a febrile illness. Patients are of normal height and weight and have normal blood pressures. Sometimes eczematous skin lesions are found. Biochemically there is hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia and alkalosis. Urinary excretion rates of potassium and magnesium are elevated, the excretion of calcium is diminished. Treatment consists of oral suppletion of magnesium, sometimes also with oral potassium. A potassium-sparing diuretic may be used. The prognosis appears to be good.