Inclusion Criteria:  Diarrheal children with SAM aged 9-24 months Signed informed consent by the guardian/caregivers  Exclusion Criteria:  Severe sepsis or Septic shock Patients already taking medications containing L- carnitine Children with Tuberculosis Children with congenital defects or chromosomal anomalies Children with a diagnosed case of Thalassemia Children with an active or previous history of convulsion