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Undernutrition in Infants Aged Under Six Months: A Multi-Center Cross-Sectional Study in Two Governorates in Yemen

Maha Ahmed Basodan1,2,3, Iman Ali Ba-Saddik3,4, Michael Boele van Hensbroek1,2

  • 1Center for Global Child Health, Emma's Children Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Nutrients
|July 28, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Undernutrition is prevalent in Yemeni infants under six months. Weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) effectively identifies more at-risk infants compared to mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC).

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Public Health
  • Anthropometry

Background:

  • Limited data exists on undernutrition among infants under six months (<6 m) in Yemen.
  • This study addresses the prevalence of anthropometric failures in this vulnerable population.
  • Understanding nutritional status is critical for early intervention in infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To estimate the prevalence of conventional, concurrent, and severe anthropometric failures in infants <6 m in Yemen.
  • To identify the anthropometric indicator with greater overlap with these failures.
  • To inform public health strategies for infant nutrition in Yemen.

Main Methods:

  • Facility-based survey conducted over thirteen months in five health facilities in two Yemeni governorates.
  • Measurements included infant weight, length, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC).
  • Calculated weight-for-age z-score (WAZ), length-for-age z-score (LAZ), weight-for-length z-score (WLZ), composite index of anthropometric failure (CIAF), and composite index of severe anthropometric failure (CISAF).
  • Assessed overlap of MUAC thresholds and WAZ < -2 with anthropometric failures.

Main Results:

  • Analyzed 5053 infants: 19.3% wasted, 17.7% stunted, 30.5% underweight.
  • Overall, 40.9% experienced composite index of anthropometric failure (CIAF), with 23.3% having concurrent failures.
  • 12% exhibited severe anthropometric failure (CISAF).
  • Weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) < -2 showed significantly higher overlap with CIAF (74.4%) and CISAF (92.1%) compared to MUAC (28.8% and 47%, respectively).

Conclusions:

  • Conventional, concurrent, and severe anthropometric failures are highly prevalent among infants <6 m in Yemen.
  • Weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) is a more effective indicator for identifying at-risk infants than MUAC.
  • Findings highlight the urgent need for targeted nutritional interventions for young infants in Yemen.

Keywords:
anthropometric deficitsinfants under 6 monthsmalnutritionthe composite index of anthropometric failureundernutrition

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