The effects of an episode of acute classical dengue fever on
extracellular water (ECW), intracellular water (ICW), and total
body water (TBW) were measured in nine patients using conventional
dilution techniques; and the findings were compared with the
outcome variables from whole body impedance spectroscopy (BIS),
extracellular fluid resistance (Recf), and intracellular fluid
resistance (Ricf). The patients were assessed on admission with
febrile presentation (DI), at discharge after the defervescence
of the fever cycle at about five days postadmission (DII), and
seven days thereafter (DIII). As a reference group, 15 persons
without acute or chronic illness were enrolled. Total body water
was unaltered during the course of disease and was not different
from that in normal healthy subjects. However, body water shifted
from the intracellular to the extracellular compartment in patients
from the acute phase to convalescence, as reflected in the ratios
of ECW/TBW and ECW/ICW. These ratios were significantly higher
in convalescent dengue patients (DIII) than in the reference
group (
p < 0.05). Increasing ECW, from the acute phase of
the disease to convalescence, was associated with a significant
decrease in Recf (719 ± 95, 693 ± 89, 643 ±
81
;
p < 0.0001) and in Recf/Ricf (
p < 0.01). Recf and
Recf/Ricf were higher in the acute phase (DI) of dengue fever
compared to controls (
p < 0.05). We conclude that dengue
fever is characterized by a relative expansion of ECW during
the course of disease and convalescence. BIS was sensitive in
determining the hydrational profile in dengue fever patients.
