Serum aldosterone concentrations related to sodium balance in the newborn infant
Siegel, S.R.; Fisher, D.A.; Oh, W.
Pediatrics 53(3): 410-413
1974
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-4005 PMID: 4205580 Document Number: 76244
Subjects were 8 full-term, 10 small-for-gestational-age (SGA), 12 preterm normal and 9 preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). With 2 exceptions, all mothers were on unrestricted Na diets. The infants were investigated between 24 and 48 h of age. Term, SGA and normal preterm infants were fed by mouth at 3 to 4 h intervals. RDS infants were fed parenterally. Serum aldosterone concentrations ranged from 7 to 303 ng/100 ml and showed no correlation with duration of gestation. Serum aldosterone concentrations in preterm normal infants were slightly higher than those in RDS preterm infants. Na intake was significantly negatively correlated with serum aldosterone concentration in RDS infants. Na excretion in urine was also significantly negatively correlated with serum aldosterone in RDS infants and Na intake was directly related to Na excretion. All the other infants had lower Na intakes and the correlations between serum aldosterone and Na intake or Na excretion were not significant.