Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatric and Child Health

Abstract Ref Number = APCP1269

APCP

CHANGES IN WEIGHT AND UPPER-ARM ANTHROPOMETRY BASED ON ENERGY INTAKES IN SEVERE MALNOURISHED CHILDREN

Ananta Fittonia Benvenuto, Endy Paryanto Prawirohartono

Introduction. Body weight as well as upper arm anthropometry are key component of child growth. Therefore upper-arm anthropometry can be used to determine the upper arm composition, as a proxy of body composition. The aim of this study is to evaluate the changes in body weight, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), mid-upper arm muscle circumference (MUAMC), and triceps skinfold (TSF) based on energy intakes in children with severe acute malnutrition. Methods. We conducted a prospective study involving children aged 2 months to 18 years old who were admitted to Dr. Sardjito General Hospital between February and May 2018 with severe acute malnutrition. Weight, MUAC, MUAMC, TSF, and calories intake are measured daily. Calories intake expressed as nutritional index i.e. daily calorie intake divided by daily energy requirements in percent and underlying diseases were also investigated until discharge. Result. A total of 35 children (19 males and 16 females) were identified with median age of 4 years old (interquartile range 11 months to 11 years old, ranged 2 months to 17 years old). The major underlying diseases were congenital heart defects (23%) and oncology diseases (14.3%) with median duration of treatment were 12 days (interquartile range 8 to 20.5 days, ranged 4 to 77 days). The mean of nutritional index was 99.56% (SD 23.46%, ranged 30% to 228%). The changes in weight, MUAC, MUAMC and TSF were 4.53%, 2.28%, 3.88%, and -0.95%, respectively. Average daily change in weight, MUAC, MUAMC and TSF were 4.36 g/kgBW/day, 0.011 cm/day, 0.029 cm/day, and -0.005 mm/day, respectively. Conclusion. Congenital heart defects and oncology diseases were the most common underlying disease for severe acute malnutrition. Change in weight is moderate, whereas muscle arm grows better than arm fat. The improvement of weight in accordance with muscle growth indicates better prognosis of children with severe acute malnutrition.

Keywords: severe acute malnutrition, body weight, mid-upper arm circumference, mid-upper arm muscle circumference, triceps skinfold.