SODIUM-RETAINING CORTICOID IN THE URINE OF NORMAL CHILDREN AND ADULTS AND OF PATIENTS WITH HYPOADRENALISM OR HYPOPITUITARISM

Abstract
Urine was acidified to pH 1.0, allowed to stand for 24 hours, and extracted with chloroform. Na-retaining corticoid (probably aldosterone) was separated by chromatography and measured by bioassay. An average of 86 [mu]g DCA equivalent was found in 1 days urine of 5 normal adults. Children (4-8 years) excreted about 2/3 as much as adults. Two patients with panhypopituitarism had a normal output of Na-retaining corticoid, but insignificant levels were found in Addison''s disease or after surgical adrenalectomy.