Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare weight for height (WHZ) and mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) to diagnose malnutrition in children aged 6-59 months and to determine the association of various risk factors with the nutritional status of the children. METHODS: Descriptive study conducted at the Department of Paediatric Medicine of The Children's Hospital Lahore from May 2017 to April 2018. A total of 257 children 6 to 59 months of age having MUAC of <125mm were included. WHZ scoring was done and compared with MUAC. RESULTS: There was slight male predominance 135 (52.5%). Mean age of children was 13.43 + 8.81 months (95% CI: 12.34-14.51). Mean MUAC was 103±13.5 mm (95%CI: 101-105mm). Exclusive breast feeding was present in 82 (32%). Maternal illiteracy was common in SAM (p = was 0.001). More children (73.2%) were identified as SAM by MUAC of <115 mm as compared to WHZ of <-3SD (70%). The ROC curve analysis for MUAC (cut-off value:103, 95%CI; AUC: 101-107 mm) showed it as an excellent predictor (p=<0.001) for children having SAM and WHZ <-3SD, with (AUC= 0.786 [95%CI; 0.725-0.848]). CONCLUSION: Both MUAC and WHZ showed fair degree of agreement to diagnose moderate and severe acute malnutrition among children aged 6-59 months. At the community level of resource limited countries, MUAC can be used as an appropriate rapid diagnostic method to identify malnourished children to be managed in nutritional rehabilitation programs.