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Arm circumference in the surveillance of protein-calorie malnutrition in Baghdad
Insights
Mid-upper arm circumference measurements strongly correlate with weight-for-age in children aged 3-72 months. A constant arm circumference standard is proposed for practical use when precise age is unknown.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Anthropometry
- Child Health Assessment
Background:
- Accurate growth monitoring is crucial for child health.
- Weight-for-age is a standard but can be difficult to measure accurately in field settings.
- Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) offers a potential alternative anthropometric measure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the predictive accuracy of weight-for-age and mid-upper arm circumference-for-age standards in children.
- To evaluate the utility of a constant MUAC standard for children when precise age is unknown.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 777 children aged 3-72 months in Baghdad.
- Comparison of percentage weight-for-age standards with percentage mid-upper arm circumference-for-age standards.
- Statistical analysis to determine correlation and predictive values.
Main Results:
- A significant high correlation (0.92, P < 0.001) was found between weight-for-age and MUAC-for-age.
- Weight-for-age could be predicted from MUAC-for-age within a ±16% margin.
- A constant midpoint arm circumference of 16.5 cm was suggested as an age-independent standard for children aged 13-72 months.
Conclusions:
- MUAC measurements are a reliable indicator of nutritional status comparable to weight-for-age in children.
- A constant MUAC standard simplifies field assessments, especially when precise age determination is challenging.
- This age-independent MUAC standard offers practical advantages for child growth monitoring in resource-limited settings.
Abstract:
A comparison is made between the percentage of Boston weight for age standards and the percentages of mid-upper arm for age standards of 777 Baghdad children aged 3-72 months. They showed a significantly high correlation of 0.92 (P smaller than 0.001). The percentage wieght for age could be predicted from percentage arm for age standard within plus or minus 16%. A constant midpoint arm circumference standard of 16.5 cm was suggested for use in children aged 13-72 months, when precise ages are unknown. This seems to work as well as the age specific arm standard in this age group, and is age independent. The constant arm standard is probably as satisfactory as that of weight for age, and has many practical advantages, especially under field conditions, when precise ages of children are unknown.