Fibrocystic Disease of the Pancreas Presenting with Acute Salt Depletion

Exocrine Gland Dysfunction in Cystic Fibrosis of the Pancreas

“…These findings were subsequently confirmed by Shwachman (6) a i d others (7,8). So far we have seen only one patient with cystic fibrosis of the pancreas who had normal sweat electrolytes, out of 140 tested.…”

The Eccrine Sweat Defect in Cystic Fibrosis of the Pancreas (Mucoviscidosis)

“…Our group observed five infants with extreme hypoelectrolytemia, and at t i m e s metabolic alkalosis, occurring during cold weather.52 Rendle-Short h a s reported a similar case from England. 53 On the b a s i s of observation and o f studies performed, it was concluded that the mechanism causing salt depletion was coupled (through repeated small excessive losses in sweat and possibly gastric secretions as well) with inadequate oral intake, gradually leading to negative salt balance over a period of time. 52 Under these circumstances patients with cystic fibrasis are especially apt to develop sodium chloride deficiency of severe degree because of the abnormally high concentration in electrolytes of the secretions of many of the exocrine glands.…”

Chloride losing diarrhoea and metabolic alkalosis in an infant with cystic fibrosis.

“…Metabolic alkalosis has been reported in cystic fibrosis with heat prostration, severe dehydration, and salt depletion (Kessler and Andersen, 1951;Rendle-Short, 1956;Di Sant' Agnese, 1960;Gottlieb, 1971;Arvantitakis and Lobeck, 1973). It is tempting to speculate that excessive sweat losses of chloride, sodium, and potassium, especially if superimposed upon pre-existing fluid and electrolyte depletion, could easily create the abovementioned optimal conditions for the genesis of metabolic alkalosis.…”