Total body potassium in normal children

ABSTRACT _Extract_: Normative data for total body potassium on 462 children (232 boys and 230 girls) are presented. The regression of total body potassium on weight can be described as a

straight line for males (grams K = 4.32 + 2.12 × weight) and two significantly different lines for females (grams K = −1.50 + 2.32 × weight for weight ≤ 30 kg, and grams K = 34.90 + 1.11 ×

weight for weight > 30 kg), with less potassium per kilogram for females weighing more than 30 kg. No sex-related difference is found between 12 and 30 kg. When the regression of total

body potassium on height is examined, it is found that a logarithmic transformation of potassium values results in a similar pattern, with no sex-related differences between 100 and 135 cm

and less potassium per centimeter in females over this height. For males, log K in grams = 1.761 + 0.0182 × cm of height; and for females, log Kin grams = 1.595 + 0.01942 × cm for height ≤

135 cm, and log K in grams = 2.574 + 0.01215 × cm for height > 135 cm. The logarithmic transformation of K _versus_ height is proposed as a standard because it reflects changes in slope

associated with known physiologic and endocrinologic changes occurring with puberty and may be more sensitive than weight in predicting abnormal values in individual patients. _Speculation_:

Since the regression of total body potassium on height appears to be a straight line common to both sexes 100–130 cm tall, with a diverging line indicating progressively less potassium per

centimeter for females over 135 cm in height, these data were compared with available data for infants. The total body K values of infants between 50 and 80 cm in length appear to fall on a

line with a steeper slope than values of children 100 to 135 cm tall. This observation suggests that, during the 1st year of life, increasing total body potassium per centimeter of length

reflects maturation of body composition. Further extension of such observations to low birth weight infants might be expected to give information on their body composition. SIMILAR CONTENT

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MEASUREMENTS AND THE ASSOCIATED CARDIORENAL RISK Article 15 June 2021 ARTICLE PDF AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * Departments of Nutrition, and Departments of Animal Husbandry

and Statistics, Pediatrics, and Community Health, Medical Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA Margaret A Flynn, Calvin Woodruff, Jack Clark & Gerald Chase Authors *

Margaret A Flynn View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * Calvin Woodruff View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed 

Google Scholar * Jack Clark View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * Gerald Chase View author publications You can also search for this author

inPubMed Google Scholar RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Flynn, M., Woodruff, C., Clark, J. _et al._ Total Body Potassium in Normal

Children. _Pediatr Res_ 6, 239–245 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197204000-00005 Download citation * Issue Date: 01 April 1972 * DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197204000-00005 SHARE THIS ARTICLE Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: Get shareable link Sorry, a shareable link is

not currently available for this article. Copy to clipboard Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative KEYWORDS * Children * growth * height * potassium * weight