Sweat sodium content and flow rate in cystic fibrosis of the pancreas

¹ The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Sweat of healthy children and patients with cystic fibrosis was compared following stimulation with methacholine by iontophoresis and by intradermal injection. Sweat samples were collected at 10 min and subsequent 20-min intervals. With injection of methacholine higher initial secretory rates and sodium concentrations were obtained and a steeper decline of these parameters followed, while iontophoresis resulted in a more sustained sweating response. Sodium concentrations in sweat were from 3.45 to 6.75 times elevated in cystic fibrosis. A definite relation of Na content and secretory rate was established for normal children as well as for patients with cystic fibrosis.

Submitted on November 16, 1962