Children of below five years of age are at risk of malnutrition due to various determinants apart from calorie intake. Their susceptibility to malnutrition is more severe and compounded due to factors like low birth weight and level of maternal education. This study was conducted to assess the nutritional status of underfive children in correlation with their birthweight and level of maternal education. The present cross sectional observational study included 315 children of under five age attending the paediatric outpatient department of our institute. Anthropometric assessment for undernutrition, wasting and stunting based on age, weight and height measurements.

As per WHO classification, moderate underweight (weight for age) was present in 74(23.49%) and severe underweight in 38(18.71%).Wasting in the form of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) was noted in 64(20.32%) and severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in 42(13.33%). Height for age revealed moderate stunting was noted in 37(11.75%) and severe stunting in 5(1.59%).

To conclude, Malnutrition was common in age of 12 to 24 months. Underweight was the commonest type of malnutrition in low birth weight and babies of mother with secondary and higher secondary education.  Wasting appeared to be common in normal weight and children of illiterate mothers or with primary education. Stunting was least common in both determinants and no patient was overweight.  

Keywords: Malnutrition, wasting, stunting, underweight, birthweight, maternal education.

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