Trace Elements in Medicine (Moscow)
2021, 22(3): 58-59
SHORT COMMUNICATION

CASE HR 010144 INCREASED HAIR K/NA RATIO OF CYSTIC FIBROSIS

Berislav Momčilović

Institute for Research and Development of the Sustainable Eco Systems (IRES), Trg Republike Hrvatske 14, Zagreb, Croatia

DOI: 10.19112/2413-6174-2021-22-3-58-59 

ABSTRACT. A case of cystic fibrosis in a six years old girl was considered. Hair sodium, potassium concentrations in the patient were found long term tending to group at their low adequate reference values or beyond them. However, the K/Na ratio was dramatically increased being eight and six times above normal in 2017 and 2021, respectively. This condition is probably associated with the loss of body electrolytes with sweat, which is characteristic of cystic fibrosis. Considering the fact that diagnosing cystic fibrosis is a complex problem, the results suggest that measuring hair K, Na and the K/Na ratio may provide a noninvasive and widely accessible initial screening test for cystic fibrosis.

KEYWORDS: cystic fibrosis, diagnostics, sodium, potassium, hair analysis.