Evaluation of arm circumference as a public health index of protein energy malnutrition in early childhood

Arm circumference (AC) measurement was assessed as an index of protein-energy malnutrition in 144 preschool children and compared with more commonly used anthropometric measures (e.g., weight for height; weight for age). When compared with weight for age, AC selected fewer, younger, and more severely malnourished children, permitting a greater focus for priority malnutrition treatment needs. AC also successfully detected children with acute malnutrition as defined by weight for height, representing the children with the greatest risk for deteriorating nutritional status and death. AC also performed well in identifying severely malnourished children whose stunted condition made their weight appear normal for their height. Hence, AC is a good surrogate for weight for height and weight for age indices of malnutrition, and is recommended for nutrition screening and surveillance programs in poor, malnourished areas of developing countries. (wz)