Implementation guidance on the management of wasting and nutritional oedema (acute malnutrition) in infants and children aged under 5 years in inpatient and outpatient settings

Overview

This implementation guidance supports governments and implementing organizations in adapting and adopting recommendations and good practice statements from the 2023 WHO guideline on the prevention and management of wasting and nutritional oedema (acute malnutrition) in infants and children under 5 years when updating national guidance. It incorporates standing WHO normative guidance and replaces previous operational guidance on the management of severe malnutrition. The document addresses identification, assessment, referral and nutritional, medical and psychosocial management in inpatient, outpatient and community settings for children aged 6–59 months with moderate or severe acute malnutrition and for infants less than 6 months of age at risk of poor growth and development, with or without severe acute malnutrition.

Particular attention is given to the broader identification and management of at-risk infants less than 6 months and to assessment and support of the mother/caregiver–infant pair. The guidance also covers community health worker management, psychosocial stimulation and preventive actions, and provides adaptable checklists, reference tables, dosing protocols and other practical tools for programme managers and health workers.