Severe acute malnutrition (SAM)

Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) refers to very low weight for length/height, defined as less than three (3) SD below the median (←3SD) of the WHO Growth Standards, characterized by visible severe wasting, or by the presence of bipedal pitting edema, or a MUAC measurement of less than one hundred fifteen millimeters (<115mm). Cf. acute undernutrition, moderate acute malnutrition, stunting.(Sec. 6(o), R.A. No. 11148)