Child Growth Disorders Risk Long-Term Economic Losses
Child growth disorders pose a risk of causing long-term economic losses. In addition to requiring treatment costs, delays in recognising growth disorders are considered to prevent children from reaching their full potential into adulthood.
Paediatric Endocrinologist Prof. Dr. dr. Aman Bherm Bhakti Pulungan stated that the economic impact of growth disorders must be taken into account, as every child possesses potential that can contribute to society in adulthood. “If we look at the impact of delays, we must consider this from an economic perspective,” Aman said during a media briefing for Children’s Growth Awareness Week 2026 in Jakarta on Tuesday (22/9/2026).
According to Aman, one issue that requires attention is the cost of treating growth disorders. He noted that some families still take their children for medical treatment in Singapore and Malaysia, despite the costs in those two countries being significantly higher.
However, Aman noted that the economic impact is not solely related to the expenses incurred by families for medical treatment. Delays in treatment can also cause children to miss opportunities to achieve their best potential. “We can calculate the loss of opportunity for every child if we do not treat them,” he said.
Aman emphasised that a child’s potential must be viewed in the long term. In his view, a child with certain potential can develop into a professional or a leader in the future. “The potential of all children is equal, and we should provide equal opportunities. The state must ensure this right is upheld,” he added.
Therefore, Aman believes that growth disorders need to be recognised early. He suggested that parents should not only look at a child’s height at a single point in time but also monitor growth patterns and the rate of height increase over time. If growth patterns deviate from what is expected, parents can consult healthcare professionals for further evaluation.
Growth disorders are not always related to nutritional issues. According to Merck educational materials, short stature in children can be linked to hormonal disorders such as Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD), Small for Gestational Age (SGA), hypothyroidism, genetic factors, and other chronic medical conditions.
President Director of PT Merck Tbk, Evie Yulin, stated that public awareness regarding growth disorders remains low. Furthermore, even those who are aware of the condition do not necessarily receive treatment within the country. “Awareness is still very low. Even when people are aware, they often go abroad for treatment,” said Evie.
According to Evie, a child who is short-statured does not always suffer from stunting. Therefore, regular growth monitoring is essential so that parents can recognise growth patterns that require further medical examination.
Merck has introduced the interactive website takartinggi.com as a tool to help parents monitor child growth. Evie emphasised that the website is not a diagnostic tool, but rather a monitoring resource to help parents determine when it is necessary to consult a healthcare professional.