Maternal Mid-Upper Arm Circumference as a Predictor of Low Birthweight Outcome among Newborn Deliveries of Adolescents in a Tertiary Level Hospital

Maternal malnutrition is a major cause of low birthweight (LBW) newborn outcome among adolescent mothers. However, getting an accurate nutritional status is challenging in the absence of pre-pregnancy weight among adolescents, who often delay their first antenatal visit. Maternal mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) was proven to be a good proxy measure of acute malnutrition; however, there is no global consensus on what cut-off point to use among pregnant adolescents. Finding the optimal MUAC cut-off could facilitate early recognition and intervention and this could eventually break the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition.

Malnutrition in Infants Aged under Six Months Attending Community Health Centres: A Cross-Sectional Survey 

Poor understanding of malnutrition burden is a common reason for not prioritizing the care of small and nutritionally at-risk infants aged under six months (hereafter infants) in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of anthropometric deficit in infants attending health centres in the Oromia Region, using the Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF); and to assess the overlap of single indicators underweight and low mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) with stunted, wasted, and CIAF prevalence.

Afghan Locally Lead Emergency Nutrition (ALLEN): A Case Study in Humanitarian Settings 

Following 40 years of war and an already dire situation of increasing hunger, economic decline, price increases for food and essential items, and rising poverty, Afghanistan faced intensified conflict, the withdrawal of international forces, and eventually the takeover by the Taliban. The deteriorating context resulted in 24.4 million people with humanitarian needs and 4.7 million children and women suffering from malnutrition in 2022. To respond, FHI 360 engaged the Nutrition Cluster to identify the needs and mobilized organizational funds to start responding. FHI 360 partnered with national nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to strengthen their capacity to deliver nutrition services for women and children. This response is the Afghan Locally Lead Emergency Nutrition (ALLEN) initiative.