Efficacy of bioelectrical impedance analysis during the perioperative period in children

We evaluated the efficacy of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) during the perioperative period by estimating the preoperative and postoperative body fluid status. After obtaining informed consent, we enrolled 100 children (3–12 years of age) scheduled for elective surgeries. All children had been fasted preoperatively. The children’s body fluid status was estimated using a BIA machine (InBody S10; Biospace, Korea) in the ward on the afternoon before surgery (baseline), just before surgery and immediately after surgery. The total administered fluid volume during the fasting period, total administered fluid volume during the operation and fasting time were recorded. Continuous data are shown as mean ± standard deviation, and Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to assess relationships between the preoperative fluid deficit and intracellular water (ICW)/extracellular water (ECW) changes. The mean fasting period was 13.3 h (range 5.8–19.7 h). A weak positive correlation was shown between the ICW and fluid deficit during the fasting period (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.254; P = 0.010). A stronger positive correlation was shown between the ECW and fluid deficit during the fasting period (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.359; P < 0.001). The baseline and postoperative ICW showed a strong positive correlation (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.992, P < 0.001), as did the baseline and postoperative ECW (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.990, P < 0.001). Also there was no dehydration and irritability on medical recording preoperatively. BIA may be an alternative method for estimating the perioperative fluid status in children and determining details of fluid administration.