A child is SAM if MUAC is–

Correct option is B

Sol. SAM (Severe Acute Malnutrition) is diagnosed when the Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) is less than 11.5 cm in children aged 6–59 months. It’s a medical emergency that requires urgent nutritional rehabilitation.
Explanation of each option:
· (a) < 12.5 cm – MUAC < 12.5 cm indicates moderate acute malnutrition (MAM), not severe. Children in this category need supplementary feeding.
· (b) < 11.5 cm – Correct answer. This is the WHO-defined cutoff for SAM, signaling very high risk of mortality.
· (c) < 13.5 cm – Too broad; even healthy children may fall in this range. It is not a diagnostic criteria for malnutrition.
· (d) Between 12.5 cm–13.5 cm – This includes normal to moderate cases, not specific to SAM. Hence, incorrect.