Sweat Test: What Affects The Test
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What Affects the Test
Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:
- A baby's age. Babies younger than 4 weeks may not produce enough sweat to give reliable test results and may have lower sweat chloride levels than older babies and children. A minimum amount of sweat is needed for accurate test results regardless of the child's age.
- A skin rash or sore on the area of the skin where the gauze pads are attached.
- Acute or severe illness.
- Dehydration or heavy sweating.
- Decreased sweating.
- Normal fluctuations in sodium and chloride during puberty.
- A decrease in the hormone aldosterone.
- Steroid medicines, such as fludrocortisone (Florinef).
| Last updated: | June 26, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Debby Golonka, MPH |
| Reviewed By: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Susanna McColley, MD - Pediatric Pulmonology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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