Drinking water sodium and blood pressure in children: a second look.

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Abstract
A previous study demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically important elevation of 3-5 mm Hg in mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure in high school sophomores in a community with 108 mg/l of Na in the water supply when compared to their peers in an appropriately matched community with 8 mg/l of sodium. The current investigation, employing identical techniques but studying 3rd graders in the same 2 communities, showed similar results. This 2nd look considered dietary intake and urinary Na excretion. Since the different in 24 h dietary Na consumption was 300 mg between the communities, an intake of 1 l of high Na tap water represented .apprx. 25% of the difference in total Na intake between the 2 communities. Na consumption in both drinking water and diet may be contributing to the difference in blood pressure distributions among the normotensive children in the 2 communities.