Open AccessEvaluation of MUAC as a tool for assessing nutritional status during pregnancy (>20 weeks of gestation) in Delhi India
Author(s) -
Madathilparambil V. Suresh,
Swati Jain,
Neena Bhatia Kaul
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
world nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2041-9775
DOI - 10.26596/wn.202112165-72
Subject(s) - medicine , anthropometry , pregnancy , gestation , obstetrics , weight gain , blood pressure , positive correlation , pediatrics , body weight , genetics , biology
The present study was conducted to assess the usefulness of MUAC as a screening tool to assess nutritional status during pregnancy (>20 weeks). Pregnant women (>20 weeks of gestation, n=100) were enrolled from tertiary care ANC clinics in urban areas of Delhi. Data on socio-demographic profile was collected using pre-tested questionnaires. The blood pressure and anthropometric parameters (weight, height and MUAC) were recorded. The mean height, weight and MUAC of pregnant women were 152.15 ± 4.93cm, 56.7 ± 6.7Kgs and 25.5 ± 2.60cm respectively. Weight gain between trimesters and overall weight gain showed no correlation with blood pressure. Maternal weight was positively correlated with MUAC (p=0.00), SBP (p=0.006) and DBP (p=0.02). Maternal height was negatively correlated with MUAC (p=0.012). BMI and MUAC showed a significantly positive correlation (p=0.00), which indicates the versatility of this tool. However, no association was observed between MUAC and blood pressure during pregnancy in the present study.