Environmental deprivation and transient elevation of sweat electrolytes.

We report five children who had transient elevations in sweat electrolyte values in association with environmental deprivation. The high electrolyte values were not always associated with malnutrition, and normalized more rapidly than weight. The reason for these abnormalities is unknown. Inasmuch as elevated sweat electrolytes are rarely associated with environmental deprivation, repeat studies are recommended before diagnosing cystic fibrosis in such children.