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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
Evaluation of Fluid Overload by Bioelectrical Impedance Vectorial Analysis
Published on: August 17, 2022
Precision and within- and between-day variation of bioimpedance parameters in children aged 2-14 years
Trine B Andersen1, Lars Jødal, Anne Arveschoug
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, Aalborg Hospital, Aarhus University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark. tba@rn.dk
Insights
Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) provides quick body composition and fluid estimates in children. The Xitron 4200 shows good, age-dependent precision, with median values of three measurements recommended for accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric physiology
- Biomedical engineering
- Body composition analysis
Background:
- Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) is a non-invasive method for assessing body fluid distribution and composition.
- Limited research exists on the precision and biological variation of BIS in pediatric populations.
- Accurate body composition data is crucial for monitoring growth and health in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the precision and biological variation of BIS-determined parameters in children using the Xitron 4200.
- To assess within-day and between-day variability of BIS measurements in a pediatric cohort.
- To determine the reliability of BIS for estimating total body fluid, extracellular fluid, intracellular fluid, and body cell mass.
Main Methods:
- 133 children (2.4-14.9 years) underwent BIS measurements.
- Precision was assessed with one measurement series per child.
- Within-day and between-day variations were evaluated using repeated measurements on the same or consecutive days.
- Statistical analysis employed a linear mixed model.
Main Results:
- BIS precision varied by age: 0.3-0.8% in children ≥6 years and 0.5-2.4% in children <6 years (p<0.001).
- Within-day variation ranged from 1.1-2.8%, and between-day variation ranged from 2.4-5.7%.
- Total variation and reference change values were reported for all measured parameters.
Conclusions:
- The Xitron 4200 demonstrates good, age-dependent precision for BIS measurements in children.
- To minimize measurement errors, utilizing the median value from three repeated measurements is recommended.
- These findings support the use of BIS in pediatric research and clinical practice, with consideration for age-specific precision.
Background & Aims:
Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) offers the possibility to perform rapid estimates of fluid distribution and body composition. Few studies, however, have addressed the precision and biological variation in a pediatric population. Our objectives were to evaluate precision, variation within- and between-days for the BIS-determined parameters total body fluid, extra-cellular fluid, intra-cellular fluid, body cell mass, fat-free mass, extra-cellular resistance, intra-cellular resistance and percentage body fat using a Xitron 4200.
Methods:
All 133 children (81 boys, 52 girls; 2.4-14.9 years) had one series measured on day one (precision population). Forty-four children had a second series on day one (within-day sub-population). Thirty-two children had a series measured on the next day (between-day sub-population). Each measurement series consisted of three repeated measurements. A linear mixed model was used for statistical analysis.
Results:
The precision was 0.3-0.8% in children ≥6 years and 0.5-2.4% in children <6 years with a statistically significant difference between the two age-groups (p<0.001). Within-day variation was 1.1-2.8% and between-day variation 2.4-5.7%. Total variation and reference change values are reported.
Conclusion:
The Xitron 4200 has a very good but age-dependent precision. The median value of three repeated measurements is recommended in order to avoid incorrect measurements.
