Background: Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) remains a major health hazard to children, as the mortality rates among SAM children are nine times higher than those in well-nourished children. This study was conducted to assess the demographic features of malnourished children. Methods: A total of 100 malnourished children were included over a period of six months. A preliminary data of children regarding age, start of complimentary feeding (CF), maternal education, parity were noted. Anthropometric measurements such as height/length, weight, midupper arm circumference (MUAC) were recorded in all the patients. Results: Majority were in the age group of 6–18 months (64%) and least were in 45–59 months. Females were more with M:F ratio of 1:1.1. 94% of families resided in rural areas. Most of the children hailed from middle (58%), followed by lower (41%) class and one child belonged to upper socioeconomic class. About 70% of children were born to multiparous mothers. Approximately 50% children were of low-birth weight. Only 8% babies were bottle fed and in 76% children, weaning time was inappropriate. Conclusion: The short birth interval, low socio-economic status, lower mother's educational level and delay in the initiation of complimentary feeding were the important risk factors of SAM among children. Children with SAM need to be treated with special attention at the primary point of care to reduce mortality.

Keywords: Malnutrition, Anthropometry, Feeding.