Determination of body volume in normal adults and in patients with cerebral palsy by the sulfur hexafluoride (SF6 ) dilution technique.

This study sought to establish body volume measurement by the sulfur hexafluoride (SF6 ) dilution technique and to assess the body composition of healthy subjects and patients with the complications of cerebral palsy and mental retardation. Sixty-six healthy males and females ranging in age from 18 to 41 years and 10 patients with the complications ranging in age from 23 to 34 years participated in the study. The SF6 dilution method determines absolute body volumes by measuring the SF6 concentration inside a closed chamber containing the subjects. No detectable deviations were indicated between the body volume measured by SF6 and the volume determined by underwater weighing (r = 0.999). Body volume for patients with complications was also successfully assessed by the SF6 technique. All 10 subjects were short, but body composition measures were within normal ranges except for two obese females. Inactivity was suggested as a relevant factor for the excess adiposity. Thus, this new method of measuring body volume offers promising possibilities for future research in body composition, especially for application in clinical practice. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.