ABSTRACT
Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is defined by a very low weight for height (below -3 Z-scores of the median WHO growth standards), by visible severe wasting, or by the presence of nutritional edema (Table 12.1). Acute malnutrition is classified into severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) according to the degree of wasting and the presence of edema. It is severe acute malnutrition if the wasting is severe with mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC) <115 mm or W/H -3 SD WHO growth standards or there is edema. Acute malnutrition is defined as moderate acute malnutrition if the wasting is less severe (MUAC between 115-125 mm, W/H -2SD WHO growth standards); edematous cases are always classified as severe [1].
