PEDIATRICS Vol. 70 No. 6 December 1982, pp. 949-955
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow P3Rs: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when P3Rs are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Mickell, J. J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Mickell, J. J.

Urea Nitrogen Excretion in Critically Ill Children

John J. Mickell MD1

1 The Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond

Urinary urea nitrogen (UUN) excretion as an index of both total nitrogen excretion and protein catabolism was assayed in 32 children (aged 2 months to 15 years, median 6 years) (50% mechanically ventilated) during an intensive care unit course of one to ten days (median three days). The daily UUN excretion was 4.38 ± 2.22 gm/sq m (171 ± 89 mg/kg) (N = 121 patient days). The average daily UUN excretion (N = 32 children) was well described by a linear regression equation for square meters of body surface area (BSA) (milligrams of UUN = 4,421.5 x BSA; r2 = .903). This linear relationship permitted the valid comparison of both individuals and subgroups despite wide age differences. Excretion data in the mechanically ventilated vs the spontaneously breathing children, and in four diagnostic subgroups (Reye syndrome, seven; sepsis, six; elective surgery, seven; and miscellaneous, 12) were evenly distributed about the regression line for body surface area. Variability in average daily UUN excretion was on an individual basis, and was independent of diagnostic or therapeutic subgroup.

Key Words: intensive care • parenteral nutrition • protein catabolism • Reye syndrome • urea nitrogen

Submitted on December 21, 1981
Accepted on March 10, 1982




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Am. J. Clin. Nutr.Home page
J. A Coss-Bu, W. J Klish, D. Walding, F. Stein, E O'B. Smith, and L. S Jefferson
Energy metabolism, nitrogen balance, and substrate utilization in critically ill children
Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, November 1, 2001; 74(5): 664 - 669.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
K. F. M. Joosten, E. D. de Kleijn, M. Westerterp, M. de Hoog, F. C. v Eijck, W. C. J. Hop, E. vd Voort, J. A. Hazelzet, and A. C. S. Hokken-Koelega
Endocrine and Metabolic Responses in Children with Meningoccocal Sepsis: Striking Differences between Survivors and Nonsurvivors
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., October 1, 2000; 85(10): 3746 - 3753.
[Abstract] [Full Text]