HealthPhone™: Part 6 - Severe Acute Malnutrition - Assessment and Classification of a Child with Acute Malnutrition

Assessing, classifying, and taking actions

If a child aged less than 6 months shows visible severe wasting or presence of pitting oedema of both feet

If a child aged above six months with mid upper arm circumference less than 11 centimeters or has pitting oedema on both feet and moreover shows one of the following danger signs failed appetite test pneumonia or severe pneumonia blood in the stool fever or hypothermia low body temperature

Classifying the stage

It shows severe complicated malnutrition

Actions to be taken

Immediately refer the child to in-patient care where he is provided follow-up and care.

If age six months or above and mid upper arm circumference less than 11 centimeters or oedema of both feet and passed the appetite test classify as severe uncomplicated malnutrition manage in OTP using the Health Post OTP protocol.

If mid upper arm circumference of 11 centimeters to less than 12 centimeters and no oedema of both feet classify as moderate acute malnutrition and refer to supplementary feeding program if available counsel on child feeding and care.

If mid upper arm circumference is greater than 12 centimeters and no oedema of both feet then classify as no acute malnutrition counsel the mother and congratulate her.