Association between diagnostic criteria for severe acute malnutrition and hospital mortality in children aged 6–59 months in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: the Lwiro cohort study

Abstract

In our study, WHZ was the indicator more associated with hospital death compared with MUAC or MUACZ. As such, we recommend that all criteria shall continue to be used for admission to therapeutic SAM programs. Efforts should be encouraged to find simple tools allowing the community to accurately measure WHZ and MUACZ.