Measured and predicted total body water in children with myelomeningocele.
OBJECTIVE
Children with myelomeningocele (MMC) have an altered body composition and an atypical distribution of total body water (TBW). The aim of the present study was to determine the accuracy of current predictive equations, based on bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), in determining TBW when compared with measured TBW using deuterium dilution.


METHODS
Fourteen children with MMC were measured for whole body BIA and TBW (using deuterium dilution and the Plateau method). Total body water was predicted using equations based on the resistance and characteristic frequency from BIA measurements and heights of subjects.


RESULTS
The mean measured TBW was 15.46 +/- 8.28 L and the mean predictions for TBW using equations based on the resistance and characteristic frequency from BIA measurements and heights of subjects were 18.29 +/- 8.41 L, 17.72 +/- 11.42 L and 12.51 +/- 7.59 L, respectively. The best correlation was found using characteristic frequency. The limits of agreement between measured and predicted TBW values using Bland-Altman analysis were large.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study suggests that the prediction of TBW in children with MMC can be made accurately using the equation of Cornish et al. based on BIA measurements of characteristic frequency.
Littlewood
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RA
Children's Nutrition Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Queensland, Statewide Paediatric Rehabilitation Service, Royal Children's Hospital, Herston, Queensland 4029, Australia. s310501@student.uq.edu.au
Trocki
O
O
Cleghorn
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D001823:Body Composition; D001834:Body Water; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003903:Deuterium; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008591:Meningomyelocele; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
D003903:Deuterium