Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) defined by a very low weight for height (below –3z scores of the median WHO growth standards), is a devastating public health problem of epidemic proportions. Diminished immune functions render undernourished patients more susceptible to multiple infections and many severely malnourished children die from delay in appropriate treatment. In this context this study was undertaken in department of pediatrics in a tertiary care hospital  to compare and assess commonly involved organisms causing infection in patients with severe acute malnutrition to assess local epidemiology.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study 72 children aged 6 months–60 months, classified as SAM children as per WHO criteria were included and blood and blood culture were studied.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION : Our study shows that infections in patients with severe acute malnutrition is a common occurrence with gram negative organisms being more than gram positive organisms. Also that children less than 2 years of age are more prone to develop severe acute malnutrition than older ones with females more commonly affected than males.