Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Adult and Pediatric Porcine Model of Acute Volume Overload
Published on: January 12, 2024
A reference frame for blood volume in children and adolescents
Ann Raes1, Sarah Van Aken, Margarita Craen
1Department of Paediatric Nephrology, University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. ann.raes@ugent.be
Background:
Our primary purpose was to determine the normal range and variability of blood volume (BV) in healthy children, in order to provide reference values during childhood and adolescence. Our secondary aim was to correlate these vascular volumes to body size parameters and pubertal stages, in order to determine the best normalisation parameter.
Methods:
Plasma volume (PV) and red cell volume (RCV) were measured and F-cell ratio was calculated in 77 children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in drug-free remission (mean age, 9.8 +/- 4.6 y). BV was calculated as the sum of PV and RCV. Due to the dependence of these values on age, size and sex, all data were normalised for body size parameters.
Results:
BV normalised for lean body mass (LBM) did not differ significantly by sex (p < 0.376) or pubertal stage (p < 0.180), in contrast to normalisation for the other anthropometric parameters. There was no significant difference between reference values for children and adults.
Conclusion:
LBM was the anthropometric index most closely correlated to vascular fluid volumes, independent of age, gender and pubertal stage.
Related Concept Videos
Veins as Blood Reservoirs
Composition of Blood
Formed elements constitute the remaining 45% of the blood volume. These...
Measurement of Blood Pressure
Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.
Blood Flow
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure

