Whole-body elemental composition in patients with renal failure and after transplantation studied using total-body neutron-activation analysis.

Whole body elemental composition in seventy-five patients with either renal failure or a kidney transplant was measured by neutron-activation analysis and whole-body counting. Comparison was made with expected normal values and with a control group; between undialysed, dialysed and transplanted patients; and between those receiving dialysis treatment for various periods. A frequent finding was low body calcium, reflecting the prevalence of renal osteodystrophy. Sodium and chlorine were increased in undialysed patients, a consequence of their renal disease. Patients with transplanted kidneys had reduced amounts of most elements, indicating decreased lean body mass, but increased body weight, probably due to excess fat.