Therapeutic feeding with Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) in the management of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is recommended when a child has:

• A Severe oedema and poor appetite
• B Moderate acute malnutrition with stunting
• C Anaemia with Hb < 7 g/dL
• D Good appetite and no medical complications ✓

Explanation

RUTF (e.g., Plumpy'Nut) is the cornerstone of Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) for uncomplicated SAM. It is indicated when the child has SAM (MUAC < 115 mm or WHZ < -3 SD or oedema +) but has appetite (passes appetite test) and no acute medical complications. Children with medical complications or no appetite are admitted for inpatient stabilization phase (F-75 then F-100).

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.