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What is malnutrition?
Difference between chronic and acute malnutrition
Malnutrition may be described as chronic or acute. Both are serious global problems that contribute significantly to the mortality of children under five. Acute malnutrition is the result of a relatively short period of inadequate nutrition, which leads to wasting and, if severe, may also lead to oedema. Chronic malnutrition is the result of prolonged episodes of inadequate nutrition and leads to stunting.
Q. Look at the children below. Identify each child’s likely nutritional status. Visit the Community to see the children’s personal and social information.
Name: Nkosi
Age: 8 mnths
Sex: female
Length: 72.0cm
Weight: 8.9kg
Seems to be a
happy child. Her
eyes are clear and
bright. Her skin is
healthy and glowing.
Age: 8 mnths
Sex: female
Length: 72.0cm
Weight: 8.9kg
Seems to be a
happy child. Her
eyes are clear and
bright. Her skin is
healthy and glowing.
Name: Mary
Age: 3 yrs 1 mnth
Sex: female
Height: 80.2cm
Weight: 14.6kg
Height for age:
<-3SD
(<3rd centile)
Weighs more than
her same aged
friends but is
shorter than them.
Age: 3 yrs 1 mnth
Sex: female
Height: 80.2cm
Weight: 14.6kg
Height for age:
<-3SD
(<3rd centile)
Weighs more than
her same aged
friends but is
shorter than them.
Name: Adam
Age: unknown
Sex: male
Height: 74.0cm
Weight: 6.0kg
No oedema. Very thin.
Age: unknown
Sex: male
Height: 74.0cm
Weight: 6.0kg
No oedema. Very thin.
Name: Fatima
Age: 1 yr 8 mnths
Sex: female
Length: 67.0cm
Weight: 6.5kg
Generalised oedema, including feet, legs, hands, arms and face, peeling skin and thin hair.
Age: 1 yr 8 mnths
Sex: female
Length: 67.0cm
Weight: 6.5kg
Generalised oedema, including feet, legs, hands, arms and face, peeling skin and thin hair.
Feedback 
Incorrect!
It is likely that Mary has chronic malnutrition, Adam and Fatima have acute malnutrition and Nkosi is normal. Malnourished children, like Fatima, may not appear wasted because of oedema but oedema is a sign of severe acute malnutrition (SAM).Please select an option from each drop down box.
