Association between 24-hour urine sodium and potassium excretion and diet quality in six-year-old children: a cross sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundLimited data is available on sodium (Na) and potassium (K) intake in young children estimated by 24 hour (24h) excretion in urine. The aim was to assess 24h urinary excretion of Na and K in six-year-old children and its relationship with diet quality.MethodsThe study population was a subsample of a national dietary survey, including six-year-old children living in the greater Reykjavik area (n=76). Three day weighed food records were used to estimate diet quality. Diet quality was defined as adherence to the Icelandic food based dietary guidelines. Na and K excretion was analyzed from 24h urine collections. PABA check was used to validate completeness of urine collections. The associations between Na and K excretion and diet quality were estimated by linear regression, adjusting for gender and energy intake.ResultsValid urine collections and diet registrations were provided by 58 children. Na and K excretion was, mean (SD), 1.64 (0.54) g Na/24h (approx. 4.1 g salt/24h) and 1.22 (0.43) g K/24h. In covariate adjusted models Na excretion decreased by 0.16 g Na/24h (95% CI: 0.31, 0.06) per 1-unit increase in diet quality score (score range: 1–4) while K excretion was increased by 0.18 g K/24h (95% CI: 0.06, 0.29).ConclusionsNa intake, estimated by 24h urinary excretion was on average higher than recommended. Increased diet quality was associated with lower Na excretion and higher K excretion in six-year-old children.

Salt Intake of Children and Adolescents in South London

“…For example, 24-hour urinary sodium excretion in a group of 6-year-old Finnish children showed a salt equivalent of 4.1 g/d. 19 In 10-to 12-year-old Portuguese children, 24-hour urinary sodium excretion showed an average salt intake of 7.8 g/d. 20 Similarly, a study in Australian private school children aged 5 to 13 years, which also collected 24-hour urine samples, showed an average salt intake of 6.0 g/d.…”

Sodium and potassium intake in Hungarian children and adolescents: Comparison of two cross sectional studies

“…Based on the laboratory results, we calculated sodium and potassium intake, sodium and potassium excretion per kilogram (kg) body weight, and sodium to potassium ratio in every age group. To ease the comparison of the values from children with different ages and body weights, it might be convenient to use the per kg approach (KRISTBJORNSDOTTIR et al, 2012).…”

“…Limited data are available on sodium and potassium intake in children estimated by 24-hour excretion in urine (KRISTBJORNSDOTTIR et al, 2012). However, measurement of electrolyte excretion in 24-hour urine is regarded as a gold standard, for defi ning daily sodium and potassium intake (REINIVUO et al, 2006).…”

Salt Intake in Childhood and Adolescence

“…This difficulty in obtaining accurate urine collections is one of the reasons that there are scant high-quality publications that evaluate salt consumption in the pediatric population. 8,9 In this issue, Marrero et al 10 present data on salt intake of children and adolescents living in London, whom they divided into 3 age groups as follows: 5-to 6-, 8-to 9-, and 13-to 17-year olds. To better estimate salt consumption and avoid the pitfalls of previous studies, the investigators not only obtained conventional 24-hour urine collections, but they also used the more novel approach of using cameras to help the participants maintain a photographic food diary.…”