J. Honour, H. Valman, C. Shackleton
Jan 1, 1977
Citations
0
Influential Citations
39
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
Acta Pædiatrica
Abstract
Abstract A specific mass spectrometry method was used for tetrahydroaldosterone determination in urine of preterm infants (26–34 weeks gestational age) up to 9 weeks of age. Hyponatremia during the first 2 weeks of life was associated with an excretion of tetrahydroaldosterone (5–50 μg/24 h) comparable with full‐term infants. Excretion of tetrahydroaldosterone was significantly elevated in all infants studied during the third week of life (80–350 μg/24 h) and this was associated with establishment of positive sodium balance. The excretion of tetrahydroaldosterone remained high for 2 or 3 weeks. The results are discussed in relation to the development of renal tubules and control mechanisms for sodium homeostasis.