Maternal weight and weight gain during pregnancy — can the arm circumference be used as surrogate?

Abstract

A survey among pregnant Nigerian women attending an antenatal clinic showed a strong correlation between arm circumference and weight. The sensitivity and positive predictive value of mid-arm circumference < 2 3 cm for first-trimester weight of < 4 5 kg was 85.7% and 54.5% respectively. In the second trimester, these values for mid-arm circumference of < 2 4 cm and weight < 5 0 kg were 55.6% and 32.3% respectively. The specificity was high, ranging up to 99.4%. The value of the screening was found to be higher amongst primigravidas. Midarm circumference was however found to be insensitive for monitoring of weight gain during pregnancy. Strips based on this principle may be useful as a screening tool especially for low cadre health workers to identify pregnant women considered nutritionally at risk.