The Anthropometric calculator module enables the user to derive nutritional status information for an individual child based on the WHO standards for weight-for-age, length/height-for-age, weight for length/height, BMI-for-age, head circumference-for-age, mid-upper arm circumference-for-age, triceps and subscapular skinfolds-for-age in z-scores and percentiles.
The software derives the child's age based on his/her date of birth and the date of visit. If the exact birth day is unknown, the user can tick the box next to "Approximate date". The software will then automatically insert a randomized day within the given month.
The user has to specify whether recumbent length or standing height was measured.
The software's default status is that a child has no oedema. In case the observer assesses a child as having oedema, the user should specify that condition by ticking the respective radio button. Oedema distorts a child's true weight, hence only weight-independent indicators are derived when it is present.
Note that in this module the user cannot save any information. To keep a copy of the screen image, press the <Alt+Print Screen> keys and paste the image into e.g. a Microsoft (MS) Word file.
Colour codes related to severity levels alert the user if a child's measurement lies beyond certain cut-off limits, e.g. the background colour is red for values between 2 and 3 SD, and black beyond 3 SD below or above the WHO standard median.
Clicking on
next to the z-score values for each indicator opens
a graphic display of the measurement.
The top menu bar provides additional features:
To enlarge a section of the graph hold down the left mouse click and drag the mouse
to select the desired area of the graph. When the left mouse click is released,
the selected area will appear enlarged. To return to the original dimension, click
on
.
To copy an image, click on
and then select paste or CTRL+V to insert the image
into a document.
To print the graph, click on
on the top menu bar.
Indicator-specific graphs can be selected from the drop down menu of any open display. To change from z-score (default) to percentile classification, use the respective drop down menu.
The menu icons on the top right function as in any other MS application and enable the user to minimize and close the module. Resizing to fill the screen is not possible in this module.
For more information on this module and its functions please consult the manual.