Population based data on age related excretion of creatinine sodium and potassium in children of Southern Italy--the Cimitile study.

This is a population based study on urinary excretion of sodium, potassium and creatinine in children from Southern Italy aged 3-16 years. Mean urinary creatinine excretion was 33 +/- 10 mg/kg. Mean sodium excretion was of 3.91 +/- 1.52 mM/kg. Urinary sodium, potassium and creatinine correlated with age, body weight, body mass index (BMI) and height and no difference was found in the comparison among sexes. The data point to an excessive sodium intake in these children and additionally claim for a reconsideration of urinary creatinine excretion in this age group.