Question:
Severe acute malnutrition as per WHO criteria is defined as:
Severe acute malnutrition as per WHO criteria is defined as:
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SAM is graded by wasting (weight-for-height), with the severe cut-off below -3 SD.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
- Weight for age less than median plus -2 SD
- Weight for height less than median plus 2 SD
- Weight for age less than median plus 3 SD
- Weight for height less than median minus -3 SD
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Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: The WHO defines severe acute malnutrition (SAM) using anthropometry against the WHO growth standards. The key indicator is weight-for-height (wasting), not weight-for-age.
Step 2: SAM is present when the weight-for-height (or weight-for-length) is below -3 SD (Z-score) of the median of the WHO growth standards. It may also be defined by visible severe wasting, mid-upper arm circumference \(\lt\) 115 mm, or the presence of bilateral pitting (nutritional) oedema.
Step 3: Option (d) matches this: weight-for-height less than median minus -3 SD. Options (a) and (c) use weight-for-age, which reflects underweight, not acute malnutrition. Option (b) uses a positive (+2 SD) cut-off, which indicates overweight, not malnutrition.
Step 4: Therefore the correct answer is (d).
Step 2: SAM is present when the weight-for-height (or weight-for-length) is below -3 SD (Z-score) of the median of the WHO growth standards. It may also be defined by visible severe wasting, mid-upper arm circumference \(\lt\) 115 mm, or the presence of bilateral pitting (nutritional) oedema.
Step 3: Option (d) matches this: weight-for-height less than median minus -3 SD. Options (a) and (c) use weight-for-age, which reflects underweight, not acute malnutrition. Option (b) uses a positive (+2 SD) cut-off, which indicates overweight, not malnutrition.
Step 4: Therefore the correct answer is (d).
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