Renal tubular acidosis (RTA) is a disease that occurs when the kidneys fail to excrete acids into the urine, which causes a person's blood to remain too acidic.
- The symptoms of RTA depend upon the type.
- Type 1 causes mild dehydration, fragile bones/bone pain, kidney stones, and kidney failure. Blood potassium levels are low, which causes symptoms ranging from muscle weakness to paralysis.
- Type 2 RTA also causes mild dehydration and low blood potassium levels.
- Type 4, blood potassium levels are high. There are no symptoms until potassium levels become dangerously high, which causes muscle paralysis and irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia).
- Children with RTA often experience slow growth, show signs of anorexia, and have symptoms such as vomiting, constipation, and soft bones (rickets).