Objective To find out the difference between fetal malnutrition (FM) and small for gestational age (SGA) and its clinical significance. Methods Clinical nutritional status was assessed in 548 singleton term babies. Nine superficial, rapidly detected signs of malnutrition were taken for the clinical assessment nutritional status score (CANSCORE). FM was diagnosed if the total score was less than or equal to 24. Results Among 40 SGA, 21(52.5%) were FM, the other 19 (47.5%) were not FM with scores more than 24, whereas 13(2.8%) out of 508 AGA (appropriate for gestational age) were FM. Conclusion SGA and FM are not synonymous and FM can be rapidly determined by the CANSCORE. Biochemical and ultrasonic studies should be done in high risk preg nancy during second trimester to discover FM and intervene by nutritional treatment to prevent the infants with FM.