Background: Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is a critical condition that affects children, typically under the age of five, and is characterized by a very low weight-for-height ratio, visible severe wasting, or the presence of nutritional edema. The present study was conducted to assess risk factors for severe acute malnutrition. Materials & Methods: 75 children with SAM of both genders were selected. Parameters such as residence, maternal education, socio economic status, immunization status, feeding practices etc. was recorded. Results: Age group 6-12 months had 12, 1-2 years had 26, 2-3 years had 28 and 3-5 years had 9 patients. There were 45 male and 30 female. Residencewas rural in 32 and urban in 43 cases. Maternal education was illiterate in 25, primary in 30, high in 12 and graduate in 8 cases. Socio economic status was upper in 21, middle in 25 and lower in 29 cases. The difference was non- significant (P> 0.05). Etiology was acute gastroenteritis in 8, measles in 7, sepsis in 6, ARTI in 13, hypoglycaemia in 7, hypokalaemia in 12 and iron deficiency anaemia in 22 cases. Immunization status was completed in 21, not completed in 38 and non- immunized in 16 cases. Feeding practices was breastfeeding in 45, animal milk in 20 and formula feed in 10 cases. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: The risk variables for SAM were determined to include maternal education, lower socioeconomic position, joint family, and vaccination status. All community healthcare facilities should regularly conduct screenings to identify SAM children early.