Neonatal screening by mid-arm circumference

Abstract

One hundred and ninety-seven neonates were screened within 24 hours after birth by a tricolored mid-arm circumference (MAC) measuring tape with a borderline yellow-zone between 7.5 cm and 8.5 cm and two peripheral zones, red and green beyond 7.5 cm and 8.5 cm respectively. All of the neonates identified by red-zone had birth weight less than 1500 g. Majority (89.7%) of neonates identified by yellow-zone had birth weight between 1500 g and 2000 g, but only a small (10.3%) number of neonates had birth weight more than 2000 g. A very large proportion of neonates identified by green-zone had birth weight more than 2000 g (98.8% vs 1.2% weighed less than 2000 g at birth). The sensitivity and specificity of MAC critical limit 8.5 cm identifying neonate below 2000 g were 93.7% and 98.2% respectively. It was not worthy in this study to calculate the sensitivity and specificity of the critical limit of 7.5 cm for MAC to identify neonates below 1500 g because of the very small sample size. But, this simple MAC measuring tape can be used by field worker for easy assessment of low birth weight neonates.