Role of new anthropometric indices, validity of MUAC and Weech’s formula in detecting under-nutrition among under-five children in Karnataka.

Background and Objective: There should be one comprehensive measure or index which can represent the overall prevalence of under-nutrition of all three forms (underweight, wasting and stunting). Composite index of anthropometric failure is one such indicator, proposed by Svedberg. Three new indices namely UI, WI and SI has also been proposed and used. The advantage of use of MUAC is its simplicity. Weech’s formula is an age old formula used by clinicians to identify undernourished children.

Material and methods: The study included 171 children under the age of five years, who were referred from the anganwadis of Dakshina Kannada region during the period of January-March 2012. The proportion of underweight, wasting and stunting were calculated according to the new child growth standard of the WHO. CIAF, UI, WI and SI were calculated. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive value and likelihood ratios were calculated for MUAC and Weech’s formula.

Results: 58.4% children belonged to category “D” of CIAF. Weech’s formula’s sensitivity in detecting underweight and stunted children was 100% and 96% respectively.

Conclusion: Use of CIAF, UI, WI and SI is recommended to present the overall picture of under-nutrition among under-five children. Weech’s formula is a sensitive and specific tool to identify to undernourished children.

Keywords: CIAF, Underweight index, Wasting index, Stunting index, Weech’s formul