Pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1 (PHA1) is a rare genetic disease characterized by neonatal renal salt wasting, vomiting, dehydration and failure to thrive. Affected patients present hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, associated with high levels of plasma renin and aldosterone resulting from a renal or systemic resistance to aldosterone. The systemic form of PHA1 results in a severe phenotype, and high doses of salt supplementation are necessary. The symptoms are life-long recurrent. This form is associated with autosomal recessive transmission. Homozygous or compound heterozygous loss of function mutations in the genes coding for the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) subunities are responsible for this disease. The renal form of PHA1 results in a mild phenotype. Low doses of salt supplementation are required and usually the symptoms remit at the end of the first year of life. Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) gene are associated with the renal form of PHA1 in the majority of the affected families but sporadic cases have been reported. In this review the mechanisms of aldosterone action and its effects are discussed. Additionally, clinical and molecular findings of a Brazilian family with the renal form of PHA1 caused by a nonsense mutation (R947X) in the MR gene are presented.
Type 1 pseudohypoaldosteronism; Aldosterone; Mineralocorticoid receptor; ENaC
