A Salt-losing Syndrome in Infancy: Pseudo-Hypoadrenocorticalism

Abstract

An infant is described in whom dehydration was associated with hyponatemia and excessive loss of Na in the urine. The condition was controlled by increasing the dietary intake of salt and after 15 months it improved spontaneously, rendering further supplements unnecessary. Steroids were without effect, and renal and adrenal functions were otherwise normal. The possible nature of the defect is discussed in detail.