A Study of Reliability of Mid Upper Arm Circumference for Detection of Severe Acute Malnutrition in Infants Between 1-<6months of Age

Abstract

Introduction: Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in children below 6months of age is diagnosed in presence of either of (1) weight for height/length <-3 standard deviations (SD) of median WHO growth reference (in infants >45cm); (2) visible severe wasting; (3) presence of bipedal edema. Simple measuring tape with reorientation of health workers can detect beginning of childhood malnutrition. This study aims to study reliability of mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) for detection of SAM in infants aged 1-6 months of age.