Burden of anthropometric failures and concordance of mid-upper arm circumference with weight for length z score in identifying malnutrition among under 2-year-old children in Southern India
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Malnutrition is a significant public health issue in South India. Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and weight-for-length z-score (WLZ) identify different groups of acutely malnourished children.
Area Of Science
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition Science
Background
- Malnutrition, including underweight, stunting, and wasting, remains a critical public health concern in South India.
- Previous studies indicate significant anthropometric deficits in children within the region.
Purpose Of The Study
- To determine the prevalence of anthropometric failure in children using a composite index.
- To evaluate the agreement between mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and weight-for-length z-score (WLZ) in identifying acute malnutrition.
Main Methods
- Data from 663 children aged 5-19 months in Tamil Nadu, South India, were analyzed from a 2022-2023 pre-proof-of-concept study.
- Prevalence of underweight, stunting, wasting, and composite anthropometric deficits was calculated.
- Concordance between MUAC and various z-scores (WLZ, WAZ, LAZ) was assessed using kappa statistics.
Main Results
- The study found a prevalence of underweight (23.8%), stunting (24.3%), and wasting (16.6%).
- 36.7% of children exhibited at least one anthropometric deficit, with 8.2% showing severe deficits.
- Fair agreement was observed between MUAC and WLZ (kappa=0.32), with poor agreement with WAZ (kappa=0.19) and LAZ (kappa=0.10).
Conclusions
- Malnutrition prevalence in South India is substantial and aligns with existing literature.
- MUAC and WLZ, as defined by WHO, identify distinct groups of children with acute malnutrition.
- Screening strategies using higher MUAC cutoffs followed by WLZ or WAZ may offer feasibility in community settings, but further research is needed to optimize risk identification.
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