Acute malnutrition based on MUAC and oedema
Acute malnutrition based on MUAC and oedema
Prevalence rate (%) of children 6-59 months with MUAC less than 125 mm and/or having bilateral pitting oedema
Unit Description:
Percentage
Numerator:
Number of children aged 6-59 months that meet the criteria for wasting based on MUAC
Denominator:
Total number of children aged 6-59 months surveyed
Disaggregation:
Geographical area, age, sex
Threshold / Standard:
WHO child growth standards and the identification of severe acute malnutrition in infants and children. A Joint Statement by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund, 2009.
General guidance:
When possible to use representative surveys, alternatively - rapid nutrition assessment with smaller number of children can give an idea of the situation - but these findings from a rapid nutrition assessment - with small numbers of children need to be treated with caution and should NOT be presented as prevalence but as number of children
Guidance on phases:
Phase I,II; added to surveys Phase III,IV
Phase applicability:
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
Phase 4
Data Sources:
Population surveys with representative sampling methods (MICS, DHS, SMART) & rapid nutrition assessment
Comments:
It is a good practice to disaggregate oedema cases, however there is a concern of accuracy and precision