The Use of Mid-upper-arm Circumference to Monitor Nutritional Rehabilitation Programmes in Rural Bangladesh

Abstract

A mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC) under 120 mm has been associated with a 10-fold increased risk of infant and child mortality from malnutrition in Bangladesh. The potential use of MUAC for the detection of moderate changes in nutritional status over short periods of time was tested in an International Center for Diarrheal Diseases Research Bangladesh study. Enrolled were 548 children under 5 years of age admitted to a nutrition rehabilitation unit during 1986-90 with MUACs under 120 mm. The mean stay in the unit was 19.1 days. Correlations between MUAC and weight measurements on admission to a nutrition rehabilitation unit during the stay and at discharge were analyzed. Children who remained in the unit for more than 7 days showed significant improvements in mean weight and MUAC values between admission and discharge. Weight and MUAC values were significantly correlated at both time points. These findings indicate that nutrition rehabilitation programs should use MUAC measurements both to detect malnourished children in the community and to evaluate the impact of nutritional interventions.