Assessment and classification of malnutrition in sick children is an important component of Maternal and Child Health Care because malnutrition increases the risk of infection, delays recovery and contributes significantly to childhood morbidity and mortality. The assessment should be systematic and should identify both acute and chronic forms of undernutrition. The first step is to assess the child’s general condition, feeding history and growth pattern. The health worker should ask about breastfeeding, complementary feeding, appetite, dietary intake, vomiting, diarrhoea and any recent weight loss. A history of recurrent infections, chronic illness and developmental problems should also be obtained. The child should be examined for visible signs of malnutrition such as marked wasting, loss of subcutaneous fat, muscle wasting, thin limbs, oedema of both feet, pallor and changes in hair or skin. Anthropometric assessment is essential. The child’s weight should be measured accurately using a properly calibrated weighing scale. Height or length should be measured according to age. These measurements are compared with WHO Child Growth Standards. Weight-for-height or weight-for-length is particularly useful