MUAC measurements for assessing adult malnutrition in emergencies
MUAC measurements for assessing adult malnutrition in emergencies:
Researchers have recently analysed anthropometric data from nine detailed adult surveys conducted in Asia, Africa and the Pacific and calculated a series of mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) cut-off points to allow screening of individual adults under extreme famine conditions. A MUAC under 200 mm for men and 190 mm for women is said to represent Grade 4 malnutrition. Food supplementation is recommended for these individuals. Extreme wasting (grade 5 malnutrition) is said to correspond to MUAC values of under 170 mm and 160 mm for men and women respectively. These adults are at a high risk of imminent death and are believed to need immediate special feeding regimens to ensure their survival.
This study is published in a paper by Ferro-Luzzi.L and James WP. T., British Journal of Nutrition (1996), 75, 3-Jo.
Taken from Field Exchange Issue 1, May 1997
http://fex.ennonline.net/1/muac.aspx