Nutrition Screening Pediatrics

NSP: Validity and Reliability of MUAC (2018)

• Assessment
  In the pediatric population in developed countries, has MUAC (as a single indicator screening tool) been found to be valid and reliable for identifying risk of malnutrition related to undernutrition?

  • Conclusion
    Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) demonstrated a low degree of validity in identifying risk of malnutrition related to undernutrition in children and adolescents with cancer and anorexia nervosa. Inter- and intra-rater reliability was high. Agreement was not reported. 
  • Grade: III
    • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
    • Grade II is Fair;
    • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
    • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
    • Grade V is Not Assignable.
    • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
    • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
    • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
    • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
    • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
  • Evidence Summary: In the pediatric population in developed countries, has MUAC (as a single indicator screening tool) been found to be valid and reliable for identifying risk of malnutrition related to undernutrition?
    • Detail
    • Quality Rating Summary
      For a summary of the Quality Rating results, click here.
    • Worksheets
      • Martin AC, Pascoe EM, Forbes DA.. Monitoring nutritional status accurately and reliably in adolescents with anorexia nervosa. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. 2009; 45:53-57.
      • Murphy AJ, White M, Davies PS.. The validity of simple methods to detect poor nutritional status in paediatric oncology patients. British Journal of Nutrition. 2009; 101:1388-1392.
  • Search Plan and Results: NSP: Validity and Reliability of MUAC