This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Sweat test

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The sweat test is diagnostic of cystic fibrosis. It is induced by intra-dermal injection of pilocarpine.

In cystic fibrosis, the chloride concentration if greater than 60 mmol/l and the sodium concentration is greater than 70 mmol/l. Sodium concentration is greater than chloride concentration in the sweat.

The mass of sweat should be greater than 100mg for an interpretable result. The test is rarely performed before three weeks of age in full term infants, as they fail to produce sweat fast enough, even in response to pilocarpine. However, if enough sweat can be produced it remains a reliable test, regardless of the age.

Reference:

  • Prescribers' Journal (1999), 39 (2), 91-96.

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.