Evaluation of various methods in the detection of protein calorie malnutrition (PCM) of early childhood.
3 different anthropometric methods and clinical assessment were carried out on 82 children aged 1-5 years, to diagnose protein calorie malnutrition. The anthropometric methods used include measurements of weight-for-age, weight-for-height, mid-arm circumference and the use of Quac stick. The results obtained showed close agreement between two methods, namely weight-for-height and mid-arm circumference measurements. The mid-arm circumference measurement proved to be the easiest, simplest and fastest method to employ in detecting protein calorie malnutrition among a population of children below the age of 5 years. A combination of mid-arm circumference and weight-for-height measurements is recommended for better and more accurate results.
D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry; D001132:Arm / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006197:Hair; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008722:Methods; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000175:diagnosis*