Objectives of Study The pattern of renal tubular disorder (RTD) has been infrequently reported in the literature and the pattern of RTD in Iraqi and Arab children is not known.

Methods From June 2000 to April 2007, 42 children with suspected RTD were evaluated to determine the type of tubulopathies. Ages at referral ranged from 8 months to 14 years (mean 4.8 years). There was evidence of RTD in only 37 patients; 23 males (62%) and 14 females (38%). Their ages at referral ranged between 8 months and 14 years (mean 4.8 years). In four patients with oculocerebrorenal syndrome, there was no evidence of RTD and one patient had hyperoxaluria, which is not RTD.

Results Seven types of RTD were identified. The three most common disorders were: idiopathic hypercalciuria (35%), cystinosis (21.6%) and renal tubular acidosis (RTA) (21.6%). Four of the patients with RTA have proximal RTA, and four have distal RTA. Four of the patients with hypercalciuria also have significant hyperoxaluria >3 mg/kg per day.

Conclusion The pattern of RTD in Iraqi children differs from the previous studies. In Germany the three most frequent disorders were cystinosis, XLHR and idiopathic hypercalciuria.