objective: to evaluate the accomplishment of ministerial norms in the diagnosis and treatment of children at risk of malnutrition. patients and methods: a retrospective study of a cohort of 189 children aged between 6 and 18 months in the metropolitan area with a weight for age index between -1 and -2 sd. using medical records the percentage of children fulfilling ministerial norms were evaluated in three health services. an attention quality index including 14 activities defined by the norms was made and the nutritional evolution during the intervention period was evaluated. results: 35% of children received their 1st atention within the time stipulated. 3 out of 6 activities considered in the diagnosis obtained a high accomplishment. being less in parents anthropometry (23%), analysis of socio-economic status (57%) and morbidity (65%). good accomplishment of treatment norms was proven except for home visits (7%), referrals (54%) and social consultations (60%). there were significant differences between health services, p < 0.001. the average attention quality index was 10.4 + 1.7, the maximum being 14. only 45% of cases had a satisfactory outcome. conclusion: there is low accomplishment of certain activities of ministerial norms that must improve with greater training and supervision. some aspects of these norms should be reviewed and modified
