POTASSIUM AND SODIUM CONCENTRATIONS IN ERYTHROCYTES OF NEWBORN INFANTS AND ADULTS

No significant differences were observed in the potassium and sodium concentations of erythrocytes of newborn infants and adults. The absolute red cell cation content depends upon the preparation of the cells prior to cation determination by flame photometry. Washing of the cells with isotonic choline chloride seems to be the most suitable method for studies of the passive cation permeability of red cells. When this method was used the intracellular cation concentrations - after correction with the plasma factor - corresponded well to the concentrations measured with radioactive substances. © 1969 Springer-Verlag.