MICHAEL J. DILLON

Introduction
Several major developments in the understanding of disorders influencing sodium homeostasis particularly associated with hypokalaemic alkalosis have occurred in the recent past and have helped in our understanding of Bartter's syndrome and Bartter like syndromes in childhood.

Conclusion
As can be seen in the space of the past 6 years remarkable developments have occurred in the understanding of the aetiopathogenesis of Bartter-like syndromes in childhood. The ability to elucidate the distinct genetic subgroups by molecular genetic technology has revolutionized our view on such conditions and it is anticipated that even more precise classifications will be possible in the future. A number of review articles concerning this topic exist to which the reader is referred if more detail is required.