Abstract
Variations in the hydroelectrolytic composition of skeletal muscle have been studied in 69 normal children aged 2 weeks to 18 months by neutron activation analysis of needle micro biopsies and in 41 adults by the analysis of surgical biopsies with classical chemical methods. The criteria of normality for age of the various elements measured (HOH, Na, K. CL, P) were established by means of the statistical analysis of the results obtained. The same elements were also measured in the skin of 35 children. It was shown that hydroelectrolytic composition of muscle and skin tissues changes quite distinctly with age. During the first 6 months of life there is a relative diminution of water and extracellular electrolyte muscle values. This evlution is revresed in old age. IN cutaneous tissue, during the first 18 months of life there is a gradual fall in the value of water, sodium, and chloride. There is no dignificant cariation in muscle and skin potassium and phosphorus content in relation to age. On the basis of our results, the notion of chemical maturity as defined in the literature must be reconsidered as far as muscle tissue is concerned. In normal children, no correlation was found in the sum concentration of sodium and potassium in the plasma and in the water of the two tissues investigated. This observation implies that the regulation of osmotic equilibrium between plasma and tissue does not depend exclusively on the water and slectrolytes movements.
The role of amino acids in this regulation is illustrated by preliminary studies on the free amino acid content of muscle tissue in subjects of various ages.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Dubois, J., Vis, H. 16. Evolution of water and electrolyte content of muscle and skin tissues dining growth. The concept of chemical maturity. Pediatr Res 5, 86 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197102000-00021
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197102000-00021