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Classification of Malnutrition
How to determine moderate and severe malnutrition: severe malnutrition
WHO defines Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) as:
• Weight-for-height <-3SD
or
• Mid upper arm circumference <115mm for children aged 6-59 months
and/or
• Presence of bilateral oedema
SAM refers to children who are very thin or have oedema. Children with SAM have a highly elevated risk of death compared with normal or moderately malnourished children.
Q. Does Sheema meet any of the categories above? Does she have SAM?
a) Yes
b) No
Name: Sheema
Age: 2 yrs 0 mnth
Sex: female
Length: 67.0cm
Weight: 3.9kg
Weight-for-length:
<-3SD
Age: 2 yrs 0 mnth
Sex: female
Length: 67.0cm
Weight: 3.9kg
Weight-for-length:
<-3SD
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Incorrect!
The answer is a). Her weight-for-length SD score is below -3SD; therefore, she has SAM.Please complete the question.
