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 E2 (PGE2), prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF 2 alpha), 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF 1 alpha) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) 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 PGE2, PGF 2 alpha, 6-keto-PGF 1 alpha and TXB2. 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.