Abstract

MASKIN DE JENSEN, Alicia Noemí; LOPEZ, Miryan Susana; MIR, Claudia Nora  and  MARTINEZ, Pedro. Urinary sodium as biochemical marker of estimated salt intake in children and adolescents. Acta bioquím. clín. latinoam. [online]. 2011, vol.45, n.2, pp.279-285. ISSN 0325-2957.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the estimated salt intake in "clinically healthy" children and adolescents, using the 24 h sodium urinary excretion as biochemical marker or indicator. A hundred and twelve male and female children aged 5 to 15, without a dietary restriction who visited the Province Pediatric Hospital - Posadas were evaluated. Urinary sodium in 24 hours was measured using the electrode selective ion method. The salt intake (g/day) was calculated as: urinary sodium (mmol/day) x 58.5. There were no significant differences in estimated salt intake by gender. Children aged from 9 to 15 have a significantly higher (p< 0.05) consumption (2.5 to 17 g salt /day) than those between the ages of 5 to 8 (1.3 a 11.7 g salt/day). A 24% of the children aged 5 to 8 and only a 15% at the age range 9 to 15 consume according international recommendations. The daily estimated salt intake indicates that a great percentage of the population studied presents a usual high consumption of salt, greater than their physiological needs and the recommended aims for prevention hypertension.

Keywords : Urinary sodium; Biochemical marker; Estimated salt intake; Children and adolescents.

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