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Review
. 2018 Sep 19:6:257.
doi: 10.3389/fped.2018.00257. eCollection 2018.

Indirect Calorimetry: History, Technology, and Application

Haifa Mtaweh  1 , Lori Tuira  2 , Alejandro A Floh  1 , Christopher S Parshuram  1
Affiliations
Review

Indirect Calorimetry: History, Technology, and Application

Haifa Mtaweh et al. Front Pediatr. .

Abstract

Measurement of energy expenditure is important in order to determine basal metabolic rate and inform energy prescription provided. Indirect calorimetry is the reference standard and clinically recommended means to measure energy expenditure. This article reviews the historical development, technical, and logistic challenges of indirect calorimetry measurement, and provides case examples for practicing clinicians. Formulae to estimate energy expenditure are highly inaccurate and reinforce the role of the indirect calorimetry and the importance of understanding the strength and limitation of the method and its application.

Keywords: calorimetry; closed-circuit calorimetry; critically ill children; energy expenditure; energy metabolism; indirect calorimetry; open-circuit calorimetry.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Direct calorimetry measures heat production and indirect calorimetry measures gas exchange: oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The apparatus of Henri Victor Regnault and Jules Reiset (1849). Adapted from Regnault and Reiset. In this closed loop device, oxygen was supplied to the dog by a tube on the left and carbon dioxide was removed by the tubes on the right. Oxygen was delivered as required to replace that used up by the animal, therefore oxygen consumption was measured by the amount required to maintain constant system pressure. Carbon dioxide was removed by an absorbent and then returned to the respiration chamber to be used over again. Weighing of the absorption vessels allowed measurement of carbon dioxide produced.
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