Análisis comparativo de indicadores antropométricos para el diagnóstico de la desnutrición infantil

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of the present investigation was to perform a comparative analysis of the anthropometric indicators commonly used for the evaluation of malnutrition in children under 5 years old, taking into account their age, sexual and the population variability, with special emphasis on the contrast of the indicators W/H and brachial perimeter, evaluated using the MUAC tool.A sample composed of 100620 children between 6 and 59 months of age has been studied.The data were taken in 14 African, Asian and American countries.A sample of 434 well nourished Spanish childrenhas also been studied (3-5 years old). For all series the diagnostic concordance between the W/H and MUAC indicators is regular. The results obtained in the series of Spanish preschool students corroborate that arm perimeter increases with age from ages three to five years old. This measure cannot be read in the same wayin boys as in girls since the body composition at the mesobrachial level already presents an evident sexual dimorphism in this period of child growth. It follows that the MUAC by itself does not allow the identification of the protein caloric balance and that the single scale bracelet does not reflect the ontogenic variability of the mesobrachial perimeter.In any case, it is clear that MUAC and W/H should be considered independent indicators by no means replaceable one for the other.