Effects of Stunting on Child Development: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Stunting is a condition where children under five have a low height for their age. Stunted children under five have a nutritional deficiency (malnutrition), thus affecting the maturity of nerve cells. In addition, they are susceptible to developmental delays such as slow motor movements, lack of intelligence, and slow social response. This study aimed to analyze the effect of stunting on child development based on the results of previous studies. Subjects and Method: This study was a systematic review and a meta-analysis. The articles were searched systematically and comprehensively through several databases including Pubmed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar published from 2010 to 2020. It aimed to ensure the relevance of current findings in the health context and the possibilities for what would happen ahead. Eligibility criteria were used to select studies included in a systematic review/a metaanalysis. The researcher provided eligibility criteria using the PICO model. The population of this study was children. The intervention was stunting. The comparison was non-stunting. The outcome was child development. The article search was carried out for 2 weeks. The keywords were "Association between stunting and delayed development regression", "the effect of stunting on development", "the relationship of stunting to development", "stunting and development", "stunted and development". The articles were collected using PRISMA flow diagrams. The data were analyzed using Review Manager (RevMan) 5 software. Results: This study reviewed 5 articles. The results showed that stunting increased the risk of abnormal development in children (aOR=3.71; 95%CI=2.35 to 5.86; p=0.760). Conclusion: Stunting increases the risk of abnormal development in children. Keywords: stunting, development, child development Correspondence: Milatur Rosyidah. Masters Program in Public Health, Universitas Sebelas Maret. Jl. Ir. Sutami 36A, Surakarta 57126, Central Java. Email: milatur387@gmail.com. HP: 089620575849.