Ages 1 to 5GuidelineWith your doctor
If your child looks thin, get the arm measured
A simple tape around the upper arm. Under 11.5 cm needs help this week.
Why It Matters (Clinical Guidance)
- Very thin arms, or swelling in both feet, are signs of severe malnutrition.
- The Anganwadi does an appetite test. A child who fails it goes to a Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre, free.
- Tonics and appetite syrups don't fix it. More meals, ghee, dal, eggs and milk do.
Primary Citation: WHO severe acute malnutrition criteria; national malnutrition protocol (MoWCD and MoHFW, 2023)
Last checked: October 2026 • Medical review panel forming