NEWBORNS ARM CIRCUMFERENCE AS A SCREENING TOOL OF LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT INTEMEKE DISTRICT, DAR-ES-SALAAM, TANZANIA

To determine the extent to which newborn's mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) could be used as a screening tool for low birth weight (LBW), we examined a total of 601 full-term, singleton babies delivered at Te meke District Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, between January and April 1992. The mean birth weight and standard deviation (SD) was 282 6 (+/-436) g and the MUAC (SD) 9.9 (+/-0.8) mt with a correlation coef ficient of 0.88 between MUAC and birth weight (P=0.0001). The percenta ge of LBW (<2500 g) and an arm circumference below 9.5 cm were 18.8% a nd 11.8%, respectively. Use of 9.5 cm measurement as a cut-off point i n MUAC was found to be a significant predictor of low birth weight. Th e sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value were 57.5%, 9 8.8% and 91.6%, respectively. Newborns with a mid-upper-arm circumfere nce <9.5 cm were 10 times more likely to have a LBW compared with an a rm circumference greater than or equal to 9.5 cm (P=0.0001). In places where the conventional scales are not readily available MUAC of 9.5 c m could be used as a method to screen LBW babies in Tanzania. Signific ant maternal factors associated with LBW at the first antenatal clinic (ANC) booking included: weight <43.5 kg, height <150 cm, age of 14 to 19 years, positive malaria parasitemia and previous history of LBW. I t is recommended that subjects with the above risk factors at ANC book ing should be advised to deliver in hospital.