Type 2 RTA Plasma bicarbonate cannot be restored to the normal range, but bicarbonate replacement should exceed the acid load of the diet (eg, sodium bicarbonate 1 mEq / kg [1 mmol / L] orally every 6 hours in adults or 2 to 4 mEq / kg [2 to 4 mmol / L] every 6 hours in children) to maintain serum bicarbonate at about 22 to 24 mEq / L (22 to 24 mmol / L) because lower levels risk growth disturbance.