Infantile malnutrition falls into common syndromes and accompanying syndromes based on the severity of symptoms as well as whether other viscera are involved or not in syndrome differentiation. Common syndromes include Ganqi (mild infantile malnutrition), Ganji (severe infantile stagnation malnutrition), and Gangan (infantile dry malnutrition); accompanying syndromes Yangan (infantile eye malnutrition), Xingan (infantile heart malnutrition) and Gan Zhongzhang (infantile malnutritional edema).

Infantile qi malnutrition belongs to a mild syndrome commonly marked by emaciation, sallow or lusterless complexion, declining appetite or polyorexia as well as irregular defecation; infantile stagnation malnutrition pertains to asthenia syndrome intermingled with sthenia one commonly manifested by marked emaciation, abdominal distension, even exposure of bluish tendons, sallow complexion, yellowish and dry hair with knots, dysphoria and  restlessness; infantile dry malnutrition belongs to a severe syndrome commonly manifested by extreme emaciation, dry and pharcidous skin, dried and withered hair, faint cry, loss of appetite, dispiritedness, red and tender tongue with a little fur and fluid, or glossy tongue, thready and weak pulse.

Accompanying syndrome often occurs at the late stage of infantile malnutrition, besides the general symptoms, infantile eye malnutrition often  has eye disorders like blurred vision at dusk or in dark places, xerophthalmia, etc. ; infantile heart malnutrition often manifests flaring-up of heart fire like orolingual sore and erosion with foul odour, feverish chest, palms and soles, etc. ; infantile malnutritional edema is commonly  marked by edema due to yang deficiency such as edema of  eyelids and limbs, and unsmooth urination.