Gas-chromatographic method of analysis for urinary organic acids. II. Description of the procedure, and its application to diagnosis of patients with organic acidurias.

A gas-chromatographic method for urinary organic acid analysis is described, designed to be used routinely for the diagnosis of organic aciduria. It involves extraction of urine with ethyl acetate, dehydration of extract residues, and trimethylsilylation. Organic acids are identified by using an extensive list of retention indices published in the accompanying paper (this issue). Quantitative values are given for organic acids in urines from 50 ostensibly normal subjects. Typical chromatograms of urinary organic acids from patients with eight well-established organic acidurias are also shown.