Background:
A range of Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) Measuring Tapes are available through UNICEF Supply Division. MUAC tapes are predominately used to measure the upper arm circumference of children but also that of pregnant women, helping identify malnutrition.
There are different types of MUAC tape available. Each is graduated in millimetres and are colour coded (red, yellow and green) to indicate nutritional status of a child/adult. The colour codes and gradations vary depending on the tape type.
In May 2009, the WHO and UNICEF issued a joint statement on WHO child growth standards and the identification of severe acute malnutrition in infants and children. To reflect this, a new standard MUAC tape (S0145620 MUAC, Child 11.5 Red/PAC-50) is now available.
Before ordering, you should check if the government in your country has implemented the new WHO standards, in which case order S0145620. If your government has not implemented the new standards, order S0145600 or S0145610 based on your local requirements.
The item description text below has been changed to reflect the adjusted tape cut-off points. MUAC tapes for adults are also available. We have also included the beneficiary type (child, adult) into the item descriptions.
MUAC tapes available through Supply Division
S0145620 MUAC, Child 11.5 Red/PAC-50
This is a new item. It was created in order to support implementation of new standards (WHO child growth standards and the identification of severe acute malnutrition in infants and children, jointly developed with the WHO and UNICEF and published in May 2009.
Cut-off points
Red: |
0 – 11.5 cm |
Yellow: |
11.5 cm - 12.5 cm |
Green: |
from 12.5 cm |
S0145600 MUAC, Child 11.0 Red/PAC-50
Old description: MUAC 12.5 measuring tape/PAC-50
This is the previous standard MUAC tape used most often in the field. It has been given a new item description to reflect the type of beneficiary and red cut-off point. Following the publication of the new WHO standards it is expected that the item will be slowly replaced by S0145620 (see above).
Cut-off points of S0145600
Red: |
0 - 11 cm |
Yellow: |
11 cm - 12.5 cm |
Green: |
from 12.5 cm |
S0145610 MUAC 12 measuring tape/PAC-50
This item was created in order to accommodate those countries which use a tighter range of yellow code (just 1cm as opposed to 1.5 cm in standard MUAC tapes). The old description for this item has been retained to distinguish the green cut-off point at 12.0 cm. It is also anticipated that this item will be slowly replaced by S0145620 (see above).
Cut-off points of S0145610
Red: |
0 - 11 cm |
Yellow: |
11 cm - 12.0 cm |
Green: |
from 12.0 cm |
S0000249 MUAC, Adult 21.0 Red/PAC-50
This MUAC tape is to be used for adults. It is now a standard stock item. The tape is not colour coded, as there is no agreement as yet on a universal colour code. Graduation is in millimetres and can be used for taking measurements of MUAC up to 61 cm.
Cut-off points
Red: |
0 – 21 cm |
Yellow: |
21 cm - 23 cm |
Green: |
from 23 cm |
For more information, contact UNICEF Supply Division:
UNICEF Supply Division
HIV/AIDS and Health Centre
Essential Medicines and Nutrition Unit
Technical queries, contact Giorgia Paiella
Contracting queries, contact: Jan Komrska
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