Concordance Between Indices of Malnutrition: Mid-Upper Arm Circumference V/S Weight for the Height Z Score in Different Age Groups in Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

To compare the WHO cut-off of the mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) with the weight for height z-score (WHZ) in different age groups of children (6 months to 59 months of age) with acute malnutrition in Pakistan. MethodologyA cross-sectional study was carried out in the pediatric unit of Ziauddin Medical University and Hospital on malnourished children from six to 59 months of age to compare two different indices of malnutrition, MUAC and WHZ. A total of 450 children with WHZ of <-2SD and <-3SD were included in the study after excluding children with failure to thrive due to chronic illness, congenital defects, and immune deficiencies/malabsorption. ResultsThe study revealed a significant mean difference in weight, height, and MUAC among the participants (0.030, 0.053, and 0.02). The sensitivity of MUAC at <11.5 cm was highest in the 12-24-month age group with a decline at 24-48 months while specificity was highest at six to 12 months of age, which shows a mixed response. ConclusionThe result revealed variation in the cut-off value of MUAC in different age groups; the best specificity of MUAC was found at six to 12 months of age and the best sensitivity at 12-24 months of age.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Mid-Upper Arm Circumference for the Detection of Acute Malnutrition Among Children Aged 6–60 Months: A Diagnostic Accuracy Study

“…In the present study, the Sp of the MUAC cut-off of 12.5 cm was 96%, which was consistent with the findings of Mane et al, 21 Sougaijam et al, 22 and Sendaula et al 23 Compared to our study, the Sp reported in other earlier studies 2 , 3 , 20 , 24 , 25 was lower than our findings.Whereas, Laillou et al 5 and Talapalliwar and Garg 26 reported specificities of 97% and 98.2%, respectively, which were slightly higher than our findings.…”

Akurasi Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) dalam Mendeteksi Malnutrisi Akut pada Anak di bawah 5 Tahun : A Literature Review

“…The sensitivity of MUAC measuring less than 11.5 cm was found to be at its maximum in the age group of 12-24 months and decreased in the age group of 24-48 months. On the other hand, the specificity was highest in the age group of 6-12 months 31 . The ideal threshold value rises with age, with males having a higher threshold than girls, except for the age range of 8-11 years.…”

Accuracy of Mid-Upper Arm Circumference for Detecting Acute Malnutrition in Children Aged 6–59 Months in an Urban Slum in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

“…There is poor agreement between MUAC and WHZ in older children [7,21,22]. Third, very few children were identified as cases of severe acute malnutrition (SAM).…”

“…For the same reason, it was not possible to perform any age-specific analysis. There is poor agreement between MUAC and WHZ in older children [ 7 , 21 , 22 ]. Third, very few children were identified as cases of severe acute malnutrition (SAM).…”