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Body hydration assessment using bioelectrical impedance vector analysis in neurologically impaired children

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 73, pages 1649–1652 (2019)Cite this article

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Abstract

Dehydration is common and frequently under-diagnosed in chronic malnourished children, leading to life-threatening conditions. In this pilot study we applied bioimpedance vector analysis (BIVA) to determine hydration status in 52 neurologically impaired (NI) paediatric patients (14.08 ± 5.32). Clinical and biochemical data were used to define malnutrition and dehydration. Body composition analysis and hydration were also assessed by BIVA and we considered 143 normal-weight healthy subjects (15.0 ± 1.7), as controls for hydration status assessment. BIVA revealed a pathological hydration status in NI children, showing higher resistance (p < 0.001) and reactance values (p = 0.001) compared to controls. No differences in reactance and resistance were detected between well-nourished and under-nourished subjects. Four patients out of 52 showed mild signs of dehydration; no severe dehydration was detected. Laboratory data, suggestive for dehydration, were similar in well-nourished and under-nourished NI subjects. In conclusion, in our sample of NI paediatrics, dehydration according to clinical signs and laboratory data was under-diagnosed. BIVA showed specific bioelectrical characteristics that could be compatible with impaired hydration status. Further studies are necessary to confirm that BIVA may an applicable tool for defining dehydration status and guiding rehydration in NI children.

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Funding

The authors did not receive any funding from public, commercial or not-for-profit agencies to conduct this research.

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Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally: Valeria Calcaterra and Hellas Cena

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Paediatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pavia and Department of Maternal and Children’s Health, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy

    Valeria Calcaterra

  2. Department of Public Health, Neurosciences, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Section of Human Nutrition, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy

    Hellas Cena & Matteo Manuelli

  3. Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Service, Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, ICS Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy

    Hellas Cena

  4. Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering of the University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy

    Lucia Sacchi & Cristiana Larizza

  5. Paediatric Surgery Department, Children’s Hospital “G. Di Cristina”, ARNAS Civico-di Cristina-Benfratelli”, Palermo, Italy

    Vincenza Girgenti & Gloria Pelizzo

Authors
  1. Valeria Calcaterra
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  2. Hellas Cena
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  3. Matteo Manuelli
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  4. Lucia Sacchi
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  5. Vincenza Girgenti
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  6. Cristiana Larizza
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  7. Gloria Pelizzo
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Correspondence to Gloria Pelizzo.

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Calcaterra, V., Cena, H., Manuelli, M. et al. Body hydration assessment using bioelectrical impedance vector analysis in neurologically impaired children. Eur J Clin Nutr 73, 1649–1652 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-018-0384-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-018-0384-7

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