title: Validity of Weech's formulae in detecting undernutrition in children.
abstract: Primary care physicians in developing countries frequently use Weech's formulae to estimate the expected weight and height of children using age as a variable. The present study was undertaken to assess the validity of Weech's formulae in diagnosing undernutrition. We collected anthropometric information from 294 consecutive children, aged 12-59 months, who visited a health centre. Age was calculated from birth records and was recorded in completed months as well as completed years. Weight and height/length were measured using standard methods. Weight-for-age and height-for-age Z scores were calculated using WHO Anthro. Weech's formulae were used to calculate weight-for-age (%) and height-for-age (%). A cut off of < or =80.0% weight-forage and < or = 95.0% height-for-age were used to evaluate the validity of underweight and stunting respectively; a cut off of < or = 60.0% weight-for-age and <85.0% height-for-age were used for severe underweight and severe stunting respectively. Weech's formulae were found to be 100% sensitive in detecting underweight (weight-for-age Z score<-2) and stunting (height-for-age Z score<-2). When evaluating severe underweight (weight-for-age Z scorc<-3) and severe stunting (height-for-age Z scorc<-3), Weech's formulae were found to be 100% specific but the sensitivity was very low, 25.0% and 15.4% respectively. Based on the findings of our study Weech's formulae appear to be a sensitive tool to detect underweight and stunting in children between 12-59 months of age. Such formulae should however be used with caution when evaluating severe forms of undernutrition.
authors: Department of Community Medicine, Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Hyderabad, India. haqinaam@yahoo.co.in
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Haq
authors: M S
authors: MS
authors: Shah
authors: A A
authors: AA
authors: Bachh
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Ansari
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity