The excretion of water and solute by malnourished children

ABSTRACT

Serial measurements were made of the water and solute excretion of 15 malnourished children. Urinary solute excretion and osmolar clearances were low initially and rose during recovery. In most instances there was net tubular reabsorption of water as the children recovered. In one child in whom measurements were made every 2 hours, the diurnal rhythm of solute excretion was poorly marked on admission and restored on recovery. The malnourished children showed an impaired ability to excrete sodium. Evidence is presented to suggest that this is not caused by increased tubular reabsorption. (AU)