PREDICTION CAPACITY OF WEIGHT-FOR-AGE AND LENGTH-FOR-AGE FOR RISK OF STUNTING IN 3-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN

Objective. To compare the capacity of two cut-off points of weight-for -age and length-for-age (-1 and -2 standard deviations) at different a ges in the interval between birth and 30 months to predict stunting in three year old children. Material and methods. Data from a longitudin al study in Guatemala were used to evaluate the hypothesis that the ca pacity of cut-off values of weight-for-age and length-forage to predic t stunting at three years of age varies according to age. Results. Len gth-for-age at -1 standard deviation (SD) of the WHO/NCHS mean referen ce values is a satisfactory prognostic indicator of stunting at three years of age during the first semester of life, while the same index a t -2 SD is adequate after 9 months of age. Weight-forage at -1 SD is a suitable indicator only at 9 months and at -2 SD the indicator is sat isfactory between 15 and 24 months of age. Conclusion. The capacity to predict stunting at three years of age, for weight-for-age and length -forage cut-off values varies according to age.