Renal tubular acidosis

**Definition:** Conditions characterised by failure of the kidney to excrete acids, or to lose bicarbonate into the urine, which causes the blood to become too acidic. Characteristically hyperchloremic acidosis (low anion gap metabolic acidosis). Has several forms and many causes.

**Long definition:** A condition characterized by failure of the kidney to excrete acids into the urine, which causes the blood to remain too acidic. Chronic acidity of the blood leads to growth retardation, kidney stones, bone disease, chronic kidney disease, and possibly total kidney failure.