Table 1.

Malnutrition terms used as defined by the WHO [4].

Severe acute malnutrition (SAM)	Oedema of both feet and/or severe wasting* (see age-specific definitions below)
Complicated SAM	SAM with any poor appetite, severe oedema (bilateral feet, hands, and periorbital oedema), medical complications or danger signs (e.g. hypothermia, infections, severe dermatosis, diarrhea with dehydration, intractable vomiting, convulsions, lethargy, high fever). Recommended to be stabilized initially as inpatients.
Uncomplicated SAM	Case of SAM without complicating features listed above. Recommended to be managed in community-based settings.
Moderate acute malnutrition (MAM)	WLHZ −2 to −3 OR MUAC 11·5 to 12·4 cm for those age 6 to 59 months (13 to 14·5 cm for those 5 to 9 years)
Kwashiorkor	Any symmetric pitting oedema not explained by other medical condition
Severe wasting*	WLHZ < −3 or MUAC <11·5 cm for those age 6 to 59 months (<13 cm for those 5 to 9 years)
Underweight	WAZ < −2
Stunting	Height for age z-score < −2

^*The term ‘wasting’ is generally synonymous with ‘marasmus’.

Z-scores are relative to the WHO Child Growth Standards medians. MUAC: mid-upper arm circumference; WAZ: weight for age z-score; WHLZ: weight for length or height z-score