**Core Concept**
A severely malnourished child's discharge from the hospital depends on several factors, including the resolution of underlying infections, restoration of normal nutritional status, and the child's ability to maintain weight gain after discharge. This decision requires careful assessment of the child's anthropometric status, clinical condition, and social environment.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the following criteria for the discharge of severely malnourished children:
- The child should show significant improvement in anthropometric parameters, such as an increase in weight-for-height z-score (WHZ) of at least 1 standard deviation (SD) above the admission value.
- The child should be free from any active infections, as evidenced by a decrease in temperature and resolution of clinical signs of infection.
- The child should demonstrate the ability to maintain weight gain after discharge, which can be assessed by a sustained increase in WHZ over a period of 2-4 weeks.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Discharge based solely on clinical improvement without adequate anthropometric assessment is not recommended, as it may lead to premature discharge of children who are still malnourished.
**Option B:** Discharge without addressing underlying social determinants of malnutrition, such as poverty and lack of access to food, may result in relapse after discharge.
**Option C:** Discharge without ensuring the child's ability to maintain weight gain after discharge increases the risk of malnutrition relapse.

**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The "Bangalore criteria" are a useful tool for assessing the readiness for discharge of severely malnourished children. These criteria include a WHZ of at least -2 SD, absence of active infections, and the ability to maintain weight gain after discharge.

**Correct Answer:** C.