Nutrition Interventions for Children with Special Health Care Needs

Chapter 2 - Anthropometricss
paralysis. For the typically developing child over age six, the ratio of arm span to
height has been found to be 1:1. This may not be the case for the child with special
health care needs; however, monitoring an individual’s arm span measurements over
time can provide some information about growth.
Arm span is not an adequate substitute for stature in persons with contractures of
the upper extremities (e.g., in spastic quadriplegia) because these individuals cannot
fully extend their arms and fingers. Also, arm span cannot accurately estimate
stature in young children (younger than 5 to 6 years) because the proportions of
limb length and trunk length to total body length are different for younger than older
children.
Equipment for Arm Span Measurement
Arm span measurements are made with an anthropometer, a stainless steel
detachable rod approximately seven feet long with etched gradations to 0.1 cm or
1/8 inch and one movable sleeve (7). The proper technique for measuring arm span
is shown in Figure 7.
Technique for Arm Span Measurement
Two people are needed to
measure arm span
Person A
1. Have the child sit in an
erect position with arms
outstretched.
2. Hold the fixed end of the
anthropometer at the tip of
the middle finger of one of
the child’s hands.
Person B
Figure 7. Measuring Arm Span with Anthropometer
1. Position the sleeve at the tip of the middle finger of the child’s other hand with
the anthropometer going across the child’s back.
2. Have the child stretch her arms while the movable sleeve is adjusted to the
maximum arm span.
20 Nutrition Interventions for Children With Special Health Care Needs