The mid-arm circumference in healthy eastern Nigerian children. A nutritional-clinical anthropometric parameter.

The mid-arm circumference in 900 healthy Nigerian children drawn from the eastern part of the country was studied in a cross-sectional fashion from age 2 years to 10 years. The subjects were obtained from schools and maternity centres and the figures were derived from the right arm for the 3rd, 50th, 90th and 97th centiles of these growing children. Graphs were then plotted for the centiles and the means of the male group and the female group. The values were compared with those obtained in other countries and the WHO modified Wolanski's standards. Values were also compared with the height of these growing children and a valuable read-off graph correlating the two parameters plotted. The importance of the MAC in mass survey nutritional campaigns is discussed. The technique of the Shakir strip is upheld and a demarking range method of obtaining normal range values for children above 5 years is suggested as an alternative to the useful Quakir stick technique.