Courses

Use of Mid-Upper Arm Circumference Z-Score Tape in Clinical Practice: Identifying Pediatric Undernutrition

Program Date: 13 April 2021

Publication Date: 16 June 2021

Continuing Education Credits: Nurse Contact 0.75 CE; Dietitian 0.75 CPEU

Course Description

In this course, Karen Stephens, MS, RD, CSP, LD, will describe the validity of the mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measurements and MUAC z-score ranges in pediatric clinical practice; review the importance of tracking and evaluating MUAC z-score measurements over time; and discuss clinical examples of the implementation of MUAC z-score tape in pediatric practice. Originally presented as a live webinar on 14 April 2021.

Course Objectives
  • Describe the validity of the mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measurements and MUAC z-score ranges in pediatric clinical practice.
  • Review the importance of tracking and evaluating MUAC z-score measurements over time.
  • Discuss clinical case examples of implementing MUAC z-score tape in pediatric practice.

Performance Indicators: 4.2.6, 10.2.1, 10.5.2

Activity Code: 182776

Course Instructor Bio(s)

Karen Stephens, MS, RD, CSP, LD

Assistant Director Nutrition Services 
Children's Mercy Kansas City 
Kansas City, MO, USA

Karen Stephens, Assistant Director of Nutrition Services at Children’s Mercy Kansas City, uses her expertise in malnutrition, pediatrics, weight management/bariatrics, and enteral nutrition to direct outpatient programs. Karen has extensive experience working in both adult and pediatric hospitals, as well as doing curriculum development, research, and training other dietitians. She was the principal investigator for a study comparing MUAC and BMI z-scores in diagnosing malnutrition. Presently, Karen leads an initiative to improve identification and intervention for patients with severe malnutrition at Children’s Mercy. She also oversees training to prepare dietitians/nutritionists to provide medical nutrition therapy for weight management patients in Missouri HealthNet. As a Board-Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition, she is passionate about improving children’s health and well-being. Karen was honored in 2020 as the Distinguished Dietitian of the Year by the Kansas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and she received the Inquiry Innovation Award for Allied Health at Children’s Mercy in 2019.

Courtney Allgeier, MS, RD, LD

Research Scientist 
Pediatric Specialty Nutrition 
Abbott Nutrition 
Columbus, OH, USA

Courtney Allgeier is a Registered Dietitian who has been practicing for over 15 years. Courtney earned her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from the University of Kentucky and her Master of Science in Dietetics from The Ohio State University. Prior to coming to Abbott, Courtney worked at Dayton Children’s Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio, as a clinical pediatric dietitian specializing in inborn errors of metabolism and pediatric oncology. Since joining Abbott Nutrition in 2007, Courtney has been a part of the pediatric research and development team. As a research scientist, she provides global nutrition science support for Abbott’s pediatric specialty products.

Category

Abbott Nutrition’s Provider Statement for Nursing CEs:

Abbott Nutrition Health Institute is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the California Board of Registered Nursing Provider #CEP 11213.

Abbott Nutrition’s Statement for Dietitian CPEUs:

This educational activity has been prior-approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). CDR credentialed practitioners will receive the specified continuing professional education units (CPEUs) for completion of this program/material.