Malnutrition in India has been cited as “The silent emergency” because the proportion of under nutrition among children and women in India figures at the topmost position in the world as depicted by increased incidence of anemia and wasting in addition to several other indicators of malnutrition. The main purpose of this study was to make a survey of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in children under five in the Chatra area under Serampore Municipality for the identification of the societal factors that may contribute to SAM in children, to provide clinical management and reduce mortality among the children with SAM and to render appropriate health education for the mothers and other caregivers regarding the proper way of feeding and caring practices towards the infants and young children.