Arm circumference for age, arm circumference and weight-for-height z-score for the evaluation of severe acute malnutrition: a retrospective cohort study in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Little is known about the use of mid-upper arm circumference for age (MUACZ) for diagnosing of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and its correlation with WHZ (weight-for-height Z-score) in an area endemic for severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and with a high prevalence of kwashiorkor. Our study aims to analyze the concordance between the diagnostic criteria of SAM in a region presenting these characteristics.

Methods

We analyzed a database of children admitted from 1987 to 2008 for the management of SAM in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Anthropometric indicators (z-score) were calculated and classified into 3 categories according to WHO standards. Cohen's kappa coefficient (κ) was calculated to assess the concordance between these indicators.

Results

Out

SUBMITTER: Ngaboyeka G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10885520 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature