Sensitivity and Specificity of Maternal Anthropometric Measures Relative to Infant Nutritional Status

Abstract

This cross-sectional study was done in July 1990 at health posts of two subdistricts in Cilandak, South Jakarta, Indonesia. The purpose of this study was to assess the sensitivity and specificity of maternal anthropometric measures against the functional outcome of infant nutritional status (weight-for-age). The study population consisted of 175 mother-infant pairs, who were between 14-45 years old, and their infants, who were 0-6 months old. The indicators that identified women at risk of their infant being poor nutritional status (weight-for-age less than −1 SD) were maternal weight (sensitivity 33%, specificity 89%, and positive predictive value 26%), height (sensitivity 39%, specificity 83% and positive predictive value 21%), and calf circumference (sensitivity 50%, specificity 85% and positive predictive value 28%).