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Published on: June 30, 2023
Bioelectrical Impedance Phase Angle and its Relationship with Anthropometric and Body Composition Parameters in
Shivani Rohatgi1, Sukhneet Suri2, Praveen Kumar3
1Department of Home Science (Foods & Nutrition), University of Delhi, New Delhi, India. rohatgishivani.20@gmail.com.
Insights
Phase Angle (PhA) measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) can indicate cellular health in children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM). PhA correlates with nutritional status but requires standardized values for clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Biomedical Engineering
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) significantly impacts children's health and cellular integrity.
- Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) offers a non-invasive method to assess body composition and cellular health.
- Phase Angle (PhA), a BIA-derived parameter, reflects cell membrane integrity and cellular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess changes in Phase Angle (PhA) during treatment for severe acute malnutrition (SAM).
- To evaluate the association between PhA and anthropometric/body composition parameters in SAM children.
- To explore PhA as a potential marker for nutritional recovery in SAM.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal observational study followed hospitalized children (12-59 months) with SAM.
- Anthropometry and BIA (including PhA) were measured at admission, discharge, and 11-week follow-up.
- Statistical analyses, including multivariable linear regression, were used to assess associations.
Main Results:
- Lower PhA was observed in older children (24-59 months), those with edema, and from low-income households.
- PhA positively correlated with weight-for-height (WHZ) and body-cell-mass-index, and negatively with extracellular water.
- Higher PhA was associated with younger age (12-23 months), higher WHZ, and lower BMI-Z score.
Conclusions:
- Phase Angle (PhA) shows potential as a complementary marker for cellular health and nutritional recovery in SAM.
- Further research is needed to establish standardized reference values for routine clinical application of PhA in SAM.
- PhA assessment could be valuable, particularly in resource-limited settings for monitoring SAM children.
Objective:
Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) measures a parameter known as Phase Angle (PhA) which reflects the cellular health. This study assessed changes in PhA and association with anthropometric and body composition parameters in children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM).
Methods:
A longitudinal observational follow-up study was conducted among hospitalized children aged 12-59 months with SAM, treated at a Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre. Anthropometry and BIA, including PhA data and analyses, were performed at admission, at discharge, and 11-weeks post-discharge follow-up.
Results:
Of the 141 children enrolled, 136 were successfully discharged following treatment of medical complications and stabilization. Of these, 106 (75.2%) completed nutritional rehabilitation and follow-up of 11 weeks. The median (q1, q3) hospital stay was 10 (6, 14) days with mean (SD) daily weight gain of 3.50 (- 1.8) g/kg/day. Lower PhA values were observed in children aged 24-59 months, with edema, and those from low-income households. PhA positively correlated with weight-for-height (WHZ) and body-cell-mass-index, and negatively with extracellular water. There was no significant difference in PhA (at baseline or follow-up) between those who achieved complete cure (30.2%), partial cure (51.9%) or remained SAM (17.9%). A multivariable linear regression model (R2 = 0.234) showed higher PhA in children aged 12-23 months (P = 0.019), those with higher WHZ (P = 0.036) and lower body mass index-Z score (P = 0.018).
Conclusion:
PhA can be a complementary marker of cellular health and nutritional recovery in SAM children. Standardized reference values are needed to enable its routine clinical use, especially in resource-limited settings.
