[Energy/protein index: its use in the diagnosis of different forms of malnutrition]

The applicability of the energy/protein index (the ratio between the logarithmic transformation of tricipital skin fold and the brachial muscular circumference) is studied. Results obtained in a group of preschool children exhibiting different clinical-anthropometric forms of malnutrition led us to use this index not only for differentiating well-nourished from malnourished children, but also as a criterion for classifying energy malnutrition (including desnutrition and overweight) as well as protein malnutrition and assessing their magnitude. Mean values--with a 95% confidence interval for energy/protein index--were respectively 1,477 +/- 0.029 and 1,324 +/- 0,124 in children with moderate or severe energy denutrition; 1,836 +/- 0,028 in children with kwashiokor; and 1,683 +/- 0,019 in overweight children.