Plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide in dehydrated patients

The levels of the plasma atrial natriuretic peptide[ANP] are affected by the plasma volume reduction. In the present work, the levels of ANP were measured in 32 infants and children suffering of mild, moderate and severe dehydration caused by gastroenteritis of various etiology. The results indicated that the levels of ANP are decreased according to the degree of dehydration in comparison to the well rehydrated subjects. These results suggest that ANP might play a role in the pathophysiology of dehydration