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

Indicator used for response monitoring ?

Yes

Types

Baseline

Outcome

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