Estimation of extracellular and total body water by multiple-frequency bioelectrical-impedance measurement

This study evaluated a new technology of bioelectrical-impedance (BI) measurement that makes use of multiple frequencies (5, 50, and 100 kHz) for estimation of extracellular and total body water. In 36 healthy males, resistance and reactance at three frequencies were compared with extracellular water (ECW) and total body water (TBW) determined by isotope dilution. ECW was best predicted by resistance measured at 5 kHz, corrected for height and weight (R= 0.930, SEE = 1.94 L) whereas TBW was best predicted by resistance at 100 kHZ and weight (R= 0.947, SEE = 2.64 L). Cross-validation analysis on two randomly selected subsets (n= 18 each) indicated that the prediction equations were reproducible and valid. Thus, BI at dual frequencies is valid for determination of body-water compartments and may be useful in the nutritional assessment of patients in whom body water and hydration is of clinical concern.