Urinary excretion of prostaglandins during infancy and childhood: Influence of age, sodium restriction and posture

The influences of age, sodium restriction and posture on 24-hour urinary excretion of prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2), prostaglandin F 2α (PGF 2α), 6-keto-prostaglandin F 1α (6-keto-PGF 1α) and thromboxane B 2 (TXB 2) were investigated in 111 healthy children and youngsters in the age between 1 day and 16 years. A considerable degree of variation was found in normal 24-hour urinary prostaglandin excretion in all age groups. There was no significant effect of age on the urinary excretion of prostaglandins when data were corrected for body surface area. In addition, sodium restriction and posture had no influence on the excretion of PGE 2, PGF 2α, 6-keto-PGF 1α and TXB 2. Our results indicate that in the first days of life the kidney already has the capacity to synthesize prostaglandins in amounts comparable to older children.