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Validating the MUAC (Mid-upper arm circumference) Cut-off for Detection of Severe Acute Malnutrition in Children Aged 6–59 Months in Rural Maharashtra

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Abstract

Objective

To review the Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) cut-off currently being used to identify Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) as currently defined using Weight-for-Height.

Methods

Cross-sectional study conducted in 24 villages of a Primary Health Centre in Wardha district of Maharashtra among 2650 children between the ages of 6 to 59 months.

Results

For identifying SAM, sensitivity of MUAC was 23.5% and specificity was 99.7% for cut-off <11.5 cm. Using Youden index, best Mid-upper arm circumference cut-off point to identify SAM was <13 cm with sensitivity of 74.5% and specificity of 92.7%. Using Receiver operating characteristics curve, best MUAC cut-off point was 12.8 cm with 74.5% sensitivity and 92.7% specificity. Area under curve was 0.88 (95%CI: 0.85-0.91).

Conclusion

The current MUAC cut-off of <11.5 cm for detecting SAM needs to be increased to ensure that children, who need referral for management of malnutrition, are not missed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Community Medicine, Dr Sushila Nayar School of Public Health, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences Sewagram, Wardha, Maharashtra, India

    Reshma Sougaijam, SS Gupta, AV Raut, MS Bharambe & BS Garg

Authors
  1. Reshma Sougaijam
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  2. SS Gupta
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  3. AV Raut
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  4. MS Bharambe
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  5. BS Garg
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Correspondence to Reshma Sougaijam.

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Sougaijam, R., Gupta, S., Raut, A. et al. Validating the MUAC (Mid-upper arm circumference) Cut-off for Detection of Severe Acute Malnutrition in Children Aged 6–59 Months in Rural Maharashtra. Indian Pediatr 56, 209–212 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-019-1502-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-019-1502-x

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