FETAL PSEUDOHYPOALDOSTERONISM - ANOTHER CAUSE OF HYDRAMNIOS

Pseudohypoaldosteronism (PHA) is a rare hereditary salt-wasting syndro me which is caused by decreased renal tubular responsiveness to aldost erone. The syndrome consists of hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, dehydratio n, failure to thrive and increased urinary salt loss. A case of PHA wa s previously described where fetal polyuria was the probable cause of hydramnios. We present four new cases of PHA, from two families, who w ere born after pregnancies complicated by severe hydramnios and premat ure labor. We suggest that PHA should be included in the differential diagnosis of hydramnios, since appropriate investigations might lead t o the early diagnosis and treatment of a life-threatening disease.