Measurements of skinfold thickness and musculature in the assessment of growth and nutritional status of malnourished children.

Measurements of the mid-upper arm circumference and the triceps skin-fold thickness were made at six montly intervals in 15 malnourished children. From these measurements, values were obtained for 'muscle bulk' and 'fat bulk' using local standards. Over a 12 month period, both measurements increased among the overtly malnourished children. The fat increased most in the children who were initially underweight (marasmic children). All these indicated an improvement in the nutritional status of these children. The Oje group of children deteriorated in all the parameters without any evidence of acute illness. A possible reason for this situation was a false sense of confidence on the part of the children's mothers and consequently, inadequate provision of food. The use of subcutaneous fat as an index of inadequate intake, and skeletal muscle for evidence of protein depletion, was also highlighted.