[Simplified methods for detection of proteino-caloric malnutrition in child (author's transl)].

This paper emphasized proteino-caloric malnutrition (P.C.M.) frequency in the Third-World (in developing countries (i.c. kwashiorkor, marasmus, kwashiorkor associated with marasmus. It is consequently necessary to define some methods of detection able to cope with the conditions prevailing in this part of the world. The conventional classifications and methods of detection appear too sophisticated. These methods mostly rely on body-weight for each age group. But even this apparently simple control is often impossible: lack of scales, ignorance of educated assistants of the true age of the children. The author presents a simple and clinical method, requiring no medical appliance. It appreciates autophagy, main sign of malnutrition by estimating the brachial perimeter, the tricipital cutaneous fold, the volume of fatty and muscular masses in the buttocks and in the face, and by detecting the kwashiorkor oedema. After this first screening, a more accurate classification can be established in nutritional rehabilitation centers. This method has two requisites even if available means are poor: necessity of mass surveys and constant efforts to reach the young patients.