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ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS IN UNDER-5 CHILDREN

Dr. Shailaja Daral

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Learning objectives

Importance of anthropometric measurements

Types of anthropometric measurements

Techniques for calculating anthropometric measurements

Normal anthropometric values in under-5 children18-10-2013

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What is anthropometry?

Branch of anthropology

Involves the quantitative measurement of the human body.

Single most portable, universally applicable, inexpensive and non-invasive technique for assessing the size, proportions and composition of the human body.

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Why is anthropometry important?

Growth monitoring

Nutritional assessment

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What are the various anthropometric measurements in Under-5 children?

1. Age dependent

• Weight• Height (length)• Head circumference• Chest circumference

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What are the various anthropometric measurements in Under-5 children?

2. Age independent

• Mid-arm circumference• Skin fold thickness• Indices– Rao and Singh weight height index– Kanawati and McLaren MUAC-HC index

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Weight

• Beam or electronic balance

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Salter’s spring scale

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Length

INFANTOMETER18-10-2013

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Height

• Stadiometer or simply against the wall

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Circumferences

• Crossed tape method• Non-stretchable tape (metal, paper or plastic)• Lasso-O tape

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Head circumference

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Chest circumference

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Mid-arm circumference

• Mid-point between acromion process and olecranon process

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Tapes for MUAC

• Shakir’s tape• Four color tape * Bangle test

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MUAC related techniques

• Quac stick (Quaker arm circumference measuring stick)

• Measures both MUAC and height

• Detection of acute malnutrition

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Skin fold thickness

• Over the triceps or subscapular region• Harpenden’s calipers

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Indices• Rao and Singh weight-height index

Normally more than 0.15

• Kanawati and McLaren MUAC-HC index

Normally more than 0.31

• Ponderal index

less than 2 = asymmetrical IUGRmore than 2 = symmetrical IUGR, normal babies

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Assessment of normal growthWeight Height

Birth 3kg Birth 50 cm

Doubles 5 m 3 m 60 cm (3cm/m)

Triples 1 yr 1 yr 75 cm (1.7cm/m)

Four times 2 yr 2 yr 87.5 cm (1cm/m)

Five times 3 yr 3 yr 95 cm (7.5cm)

Six times 5 yr 4 yr 100 cm

Seven times 7 yr 5 yr 106 cm

Ten times 10 yr18-10-2013

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Assessment of normal growth

Head circumference Chest circumference

Birth 34 cm Birth 31 cm

3 m 40 cm (2cm/m) 9 m - 1 yr 46 cm

6 m 43 cm (1cm/m)

1 yr 46 cm (0.5cm/m)

2 yr 48 cm

3 yr 49 cm

4 yr 50 cm18-10-2013

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Things to remember

• Anthropometric assessment should always be done in children less than 5 years

• Assessment should be done 6 monthly till the age of 5 years, and then yearly in children between 6-18 years

• Weight, height and head circumference are important anthropometric measurements in under-5 children

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Lets discuss and learn…

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