Thanks Sandra,

Yes, I think you’re right.  It’s just called hypoaldosteronism (HA) or pseudohypoaldosteronism (PHA).  I asked Dr. Hwu what the difference was and I got an answer I didn’t understand.  The PHA has something to do with an aldosterone receptor, whatever the heck that is.

So just how rare is this thing?  If your friend Nicolette could not find a single person having a child with this condition, then is this a million-to-one type of deal?  I can find little information on this illness via the Internet.  When we were there at the clinic this morning there was quite a buzz about our baby not fitting the CHA profile.  Apparently one of these rare birds causes quite a stir among the doctors.

Can Dr. New’s clinic in Cornell do any genetic work on this illness?  What was your friend Nicolette there for, genetics?

Even though we don’t have a diagnosis yet, please feel free to forward our e-mail (tom.marking@worldnet.att.net) to your friend.  I’d like to compare notes with her.  Our son’s condition may turn out to be something entirely different.  It may take months to get a real diagnosis.  Or they may never find out what the heck is wrong with him.  The more time that passes without a real diagnosis the more likely that last possibility becomes.