Biochemical normals in Nigerians with particular reference to electrolytes and urea

Plasma electrolytes, urea, uric acid and calcium were determined in various groups of healthy adult Nigerians and in a large hospital population. An international quality control system was used for the assessment of laboratory accuracy throughout. Our values were within 1 S.D. of those obtained by the reference laboratories. p]Plasma sodium levels in Nigerian blood donors were similar to normal values reported for a temperate environment but were higher than in the female student nurses and the other groups studied. There appears to be a sexual difference in sodium values. Low sodium levels were found in the 10–15-year age group of the hospital series, but the other age groups had similar values. p]A narrow range of plasma potassium was observed in all groups of Nigerians and the normal values are significantly lower than in persons living in a temperate region. Serum potassium, bicarbonate and urea appear to increase with age. Serum calcium and uric acid levels are similar to those reported previously from this laboratory.