Althought biolectrical impedance (BIA) has been shown to be a predictor of total body water (TBW) in newborn infants, there are no longitudinal studies analysing the variation of TBW in growing premature infants.

Forty-six newborn infants with a gestacional age between 26 and 31 weeks were studied weekly from birth to term. Body weight, length, head circunference, triceps skinfold and mid-arm circunference were assessed weekly. BIA was performed with a body-composition analyser (model BIA-101 RJL Systems, Detroit) with a right-sided tetrapolar placement of electrodes as described by kushner et al (Am J Clin Nutr 1986:44, 417). Infants were divided in two groups and mean values were calculated for resistance, reactance and body weight.

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