I. INTRODUCTION
During the first few days in the life of an infant a number of phenomena may occur which border closely on the pathologic, among which is the frequent, if not constant, deposit of uric acid or its salts in the kidney tubules. Numerous investigations have been directed toward the solution of the etiology of this condition, in spite of which a number of the factors concerned are still obscure. Our own investigation was undertaken in the effort to determine the uric acid output, the factors on which it depends, and certain related problems of metabolism in the new-born infant.It is a common observation that the urine of the new-born is often turbid and frequently leaves a deposit of uric acid or urates on the napkin; and in a large percentage of the infants who die during the first few days of life, a deposit of uric acid