The urea clearance test in children.

The value of the urea clearance test in the estimation of renal function is now well established. It was thought advisable before using it as a routine at this hospital to check the normal response in children with that of the adult and to compare the results of the test with the one previously in use (McLean's urea concentration test). The increase in the minute volume of the urine as a result of applying the surface area correction is considerable and might well invalidate results based on adult values. A good discussion of the underlying principle of the test is given by Peters and van Slyke' but a brief mention of it is made here.