Research Article | Open Access
Comparison of mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) and weight for height (WHZ) as parameters in diagnosing moderate (MAM) and severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in children between 1-5 years age
Renuka Jadhav ,Sampada Tambolkar, ,BhavanaP3,Vineeta Pande ,Sharad Agarkhedkar
Pages: 9-15
Abstract
Aim: To compare Mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) and Weight for height (WHZ) as parameters to assess nutritional status in children between 1-5 years of age. Materials and Methods: A total of 650 children between the ages of 1-5 years were included in our study. Length/height was measured with an “infantometer” (to the nearest 0.1 cm)A standardized, calibrated digital
weighing machine was used to measure weight in kilograms. Measurement of MUAC was done by using a standard coloured non stretchable tape. All detailed anthropometric measurements were taken and compared with WHO growth charts.. The age and sex distribution of the malnourished children were analysed. Results: Among the 650subjects, the distribution of SAM and MAM cases in our study was nearly equal, i.e; 65.2% and 65.1% respectively. WHZ criteria identified a greater number of SAM (49.8%) cases then MUAC criteria and was found to be more sensitive for detection of SAM. (35.7%). Whereas MUA Ccriteria identified more children with MAM (51.5%) when compared to WHZ (34.5%) and was more sensitive in detection of MAM cases. The sensitivity of MUAC to diagnose all cases of SAM can be increased raising the MUAC cut off for SAM diagnosis to 11.86 cms . Conclusion: In conclusion the proportion of children identified as MAM was higher using the MUAC criteria whereas the proportion of children identified as SAM was higher using the WHZ criteria. MUAC can thus be considered as a screening tool at the community level to detect all cases of acute malnutrition (both SAM and MAM). This allows early diagnosis and referral of all MAM cases for appropriate management and prevention of progression to SAM. Following screening WHZ can be used with higher sensitivity to detect SAM cases among the acutely malnourished children and refer these children for admission and SAM based nutritional
rehabilitation.
Keywords
Mid upper arm circumference, Weight for height, nutritional status, SAM,MAM