PREVENT STUNTING EARLY

PREVENT STUNTING EARLY

Stunting is a condition fails to grow in toddlers resulting from chronic malnutrition so that the child is too short for her age. Malnutrition occurs since the baby in the womb and in the early days after the baby is born but the condition appears new stunting after infants 2 years.

Toddler short (stunted) and very short (severely stunted) are toddlers with length (PB/U) or height (TB/U) According to age less compared to standard baku WHO-MGRS (Multicentre Growth Reference Study) 2006. Whereas the definitions of stunting, according to Ministry of health (Kemenkes) is the son of a toddler with a value less than the z-scorenya -2.00 SD/standard deviation (stunted) and less than – 3.00 SD (severely stunted).

The WHO data shows the case of stunting in Indonesia increases. On 2013 then, presentasenya reach 37,2 percent. While, According to the results of Monitoring of nutrition (PSG) in Indonesia from year 2015-2017 the proportion of stunting is still ranging 20-39%.

The characteristics of stunting in children in whom growth slowed, signs of puberty is late, the age of 8-10 year-old child became more reticent, poor performance on tests of attention and memory study, Tooth growth lags, and the face looks younger than usual.

Stunting can be caused by genetic or environmental factors. Environmental factors that affect the nutritional status of the mother among others, the feeding pattern of, environmental hygiene, and the incidence of infection in children.

Then, stunting can be prevented? Can. There are simple steps to prevent stunting in children. Starting from pemeriksan pregnancy regularly and pay attention to nutritional intake while pregnant, stay away from cigarette smoke when pregnant, then pay attention to the nutritional intake sufficient and good for pregnant and nursing mothers. Furthermore provide good nutrition in children and also still provide exclusive BREAST MILK at least 6 Moon.

Not only that, any environment to note them with healthy living patterns of getting used as disposable hand wash SOAP, always clean the environment and maintain sanitation.

The study also showed that consumption of protein effect on increasing the child's height and weight on top 6 Moon. Children who got the protein 15 percent of total caloric intake it turns out to have a higher body than a child who just got the protein 7,5 percent of total caloric intake. Own source of protein can be obtained from vegetable (nuts, tubers, grain, and vegetables) and animal (beef, chicken, fish, egg, and milk).

Prevent stunting is an important task for parents especially . Therefore parents should always always provide nutritious meals and good parenting for his son. Parents also need to do on a regular basis and regular visits to the doctor or health service centre for monitoring the growth of children.

(Various Sources)

Editor: Dr. Yunneti, Sp. A, M. Biomed (Pediatrician RS Kramat 128)