A novel epithelial sodium channel beta-subunit mutation associated with hypertensive Liddle syndrome

Abstract

Low-renin hypertension responsive to amiloride-thiazide therapy in a 4-year-old Afro-Haitian girl suggested Liddle syndrome. Urine steroid profiling substantiated the diagnosis and DNA analysis of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) revealed a novel heterozygous beta ENaC mutation in the patient and in her hypertensive father. Liddle syndrome should be considered as a cause of hypertension in young children particularly with suppressed renin activity.