Upper arm length along with mid-upper arm circumference to enhance wasting prevalence estimation and diagnosis: sensitivity and specificity in 6-59-months-old children.

Objective: To evaluate the added value of the use of upper arm length (UAL) along with mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) to diagnose and estimate the prevalence of wasting in comparison to current WHO standard and other MUAC-based methods.

Design: UAL and usual anthropometric measurements were collected during a national cross-sectional nutritional survey. Children were classified into three upper arm length groups (UALGs): UALG1, UALG2 and UALG3 according to the following UAL limits: ≤150, 151-180 and ≥181 mm, respectively.