CORTISOL BINDING IN THE SERUM IN KWASHIORKOR

Abstract

SUMMARY The binding by serum and the urinary excretion of cortisol was investigated before and after treatment in eleven children with kwashiorkor. The 24-hourly output of cortisol in the urine was unaltered but after treatment the percentage of free cortisol in the serum fell to one half of the pretreatment value. Changes in the concentration of free steroid were inversely related to the serum albumin level. It was concluded that changes in the binding of adrenal steroids of the magnitude observed may account for the sodium retention and oedema of kwashiorkor.