Prognostic value of different anthropometric indices over different measurement intervals to predict mortality in 6-59-month-old children.

To compare the prognostic value of mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), weight-for-height Pooled analysis of twelve prospective studies examining survival after anthropometric assessment. Sensitivity and false-positive ratios to predict death within 1, 3 and 6 months were compared for three individual anthropometric indices and their combinations. Community-based, prospective studies from twelve countries in Africa and Asia. Children aged 6-59 months living in the study areas. For all anthropometric indices, the receiver operating characteristic curves were higher for shorter than for longer durations of follow-up. Sensitivity was higher for death with 1-month follow-up compared with 6 months by 49 % (95 % CI (30, 69)) for MUAC < 115 mm ( Frequent anthropometric measurements significantly improve the identification of malnourished children with a high risk of death without markedly increasing false positives. Combining two indices increases sensitivity but also increases false positives among children meeting case definitions.