The influence of sodium on growth in infancy

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Abstract
Sodium (Na) is an important growth factor, stimulating cell proliferation and protein synthesis and increasing cell mass. Sodium chloride (NaCl) deprivation inhibits growth, as reflected by reduced body and brain weight, length, muscle and brain protein and RNA content and brain lipid content compared with controls. This is not due to deficiency of other nutrients since control and experimental diets were identical except for NaCl content. Subsequent NaCl supplementation restores growth velocity to control values but does not induce “catch-up” growth. In humans, salt loss causes growth failure and subsequent salt repletion improves growth. Preterm infants +,H+-antiporter with alkalinization of the cell interior is a likely possibility.