Short stature in children is often labelled as stunting by the\npublic, but medically there is a fundamental difference between stunting\nand the condition known as stunted (short). Paediatric specialist Dr Ian\nSuteja explains that not all short children automatically have stunting.\nUnderstanding the difference is crucial for parents to avoid mismanaging\nnutritional or medical treatment. In short, a child who is stunted is\ndefinitely stunted (short), but a short child is not necessarily\nstunted.<\/p>\n
Dr Ian notes that stunting is a growth disorder that occurs due to\nchronic malnutrition over a long period. This is usually triggered by\ninsufficient food intake or recurrent accompanying illnesses.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe nutrition isn\u2019t sufficient; it\u2019s not to increase weight and\nheight but rather to address the diseases mentioned. So it relates to\nthe nutrients that enter and how the body utilises its energy,\u201d Dr Ian\nsaid during a health discussion in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
This long-term growth disorder caused by malnutrition is what results\nin a child being stunted\u2014height below the average for their age.<\/p>\n
Unlike stunting, the condition of stunted or short stature is not\nalways related to nutritional problems. According to the doctor who\ngraduated from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), stunted status leans more\ntoward internal body factors.<\/p>\n
Some of the causes of stunted stature include:<\/p>\n
Considering that stunting remains a serious health challenge in\nIndonesia, Dr Ian reminds parents to be proactive. The best prevention\nis regular monitoring of growth curves from birth. Parents are advised\nto take their child to a paediatrician or health facility every month,\nat least until the child is one year old. Besides vaccinations, these\nroutine visits also serve to detect early any deviation or abnormality\nin the child\u2019s height and weight growth curves before it is too\nlate.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-difference-between-stunting-and-stunted-in-children-dr-ian-suteja-explains-1772895422", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }