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WIC Anthropometrics and Laboratory Guidance 4

Record the weight in Crossroads on the Anthro/Lab screen. Today’s date will default as the date the measurement was performed. NOTE: Document any situations when measurement accuracy may be affected. A statement documenting any important information (e.g., dirty diaper, weighed with shoes on, etc.) on the sticky note on the Anthro/Lab screen. This information may also be included in the Nutrition Assessment to interpret growth. 6. Return the weights to the zero position at the left-hand side of the scale to help maintain scale accuracy. Remove the disposable paper cloth.

Difficulty Taking Measurements Sometimes a child may be unmanageable. Make every effort to obtain as accurate a measurement as possible. Inappropriate counseling and education may result from inaccurate measurements. A parent may worry unnecessarily about poor growth or overweight in their child when the child is actually growing appropriately, or a true growth problem may not be identified with incorrect measurements. We must have anthropometric data to determine WIC eligibility. Therefore, if a child is hysterical, screaming, kicking, and cannot be comforted, he can be weighed in his caregiver’s arms. The caregiver is weighed alone and his/her weight is recorded. The caregiver is then weighed with the child and this second weight is recorded. The caregiver’s weight is then subtracted from the second reading (caregiver and child together). Record “weight obtained in caregiver’s arms” on the sticky note on the Anthro/Lab screen and in the Nutrition Assessment documentation.

Measuring Standing Height for Women and Children 24 months (2 years) of Age or Older Equipment To measure standing height of children two (2) years of age and older and adults, you should use a stadiometer with a moveable headboard at least six (6) inches wide. There should not be carpet underneath the measuring board. It should be mounted and, therefore, immoveable. The equipment must be installed according to manufacturer’s instructions and routinely monitored to verify compliance. Stadiometers must be checked with standard length rods on at least a yearly basis. Technique It is helpful to have two people taking the stature of a child, one to take the measurement and one to hold the lower body in position. This will not be necessary for adults but be sure to check positioning before taking the measurement. If a child or adult has an elaborate hairstyle that cannot be removed, do the best you can. It is recommended to use a flat small implement or a pencil and carefully slide through the base of the hairstyle as close to the crown of the head as possible until it makes contact with the measuring surface. Read where the pencil point hits the measuring surface. 1. Remove shoes, hats, and hair trims and flatten large hairstyles when possible. Place clean paper where child or adult stands. 2. The child or adult should stand tall and straight, with shoulders level, hands at sides, knees or thighs together (whichever touch first), and feet flat on floor or foot piece. Their back should be directly in front of the stadiometer. Heels must touch the wall. 3. Patient’s head should be facing forward and chin parallel to the floor while the headboard (or right angle block) is lowered until touching the crown of the head. 4. For all stadiometers: Read the stature to the nearest 1/8th inch where the bottom of the headboard touches the measuring tape.