title: AMBAR as a public health index for assessment of malnutrition in children.
abstract: This is a prospective case control study conducted in Gondar College of Medical Sciences Hospital and Gondar Health Center from March 1998 to March 2000 to determine the value of different size "AMBAR" to assess malnutrition in children age 12 months - 59 months. A total of 191 cases and 191 controls were enrolled in this study. In the process, we have developed a modified form of measuring the arm circumference by using a locally made bracellet called "AMBAR" of three different sizes. Among the three different size "AMBARs", the one with an internal diameter of 4 cm was found to be the most appropriate size to diagnose Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) as compared to the Harvard standard with a positive predictive value of 87.6% and negative predictive value of 95%. However "AMBAR" with an internal diameter of 3.5 cm has shown a sensitivity of 29% and specificity of 100%. The positive predictive value was 100% and Negative predictive value was 58%. Since the sensitivity was very low for this size, we felt that, it would not be rational to continue computing for "AMBAR" with an internal diameter of 3.0 cm. Finally we have concluded that, assessment of malnutrition using "AMBAR" 4 cm is a fairly useful method which can be used by mothers/caretakers who do not know how to read and write. It is also technically simpler to apply and requires inexpensive and easily available apparatus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1768. Assayek@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Assaye
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kassie
authors.forename: Teshome
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Desta
mesh_terms: D001132:Arm / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D049628:Body Size; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values