Erythrocytes from children with uremia who are undergoing hemodialysis show normal maximal velocity of NA+-Li+ countertransport and Na+/K+/Cl- cotransport and normal intracellular sodium content. These aspects of intracellular sodium metabolism are not affected by dialysis. The normality of intraerythrocytic cation metabolism in children with uremia is associated with anemia, increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure, reduced body mass index, retention of solutes (urea, creatinine, potassium), a low triiodothyronine and thyroxine syndrome, and high parathormone levels.