Malnutrition in young children isn't always obvious. Signs can include slower-than-expected growth in height or weight, low energy or unusual irritability, frequent infections, thin arms and legs, or swelling in the feet and abdomen in more severe cases.
Many clinics use a simple measuring tape around a child's upper arm (called MUAC) as a quick screening tool — a measurement in the yellow or red zone is a signal to seek further assessment promptly.
If you notice a child has stopped gaining weight, is consistently smaller than other children their age, or is unusually tired or withdrawn, it's worth bringing them to a clinic for a growth check rather than waiting to see if it resolves on its own.
Malnutrition is treatable, especially when caught early. Community health programs in many areas provide free growth monitoring and, where needed, therapeutic feeding support at no cost to families.