Stunting dan Perkembangan Anak Usia 12-36 Bulan

Abstract

Introduction: The critical period of a child's neurodevelopment is during the first thousand days of life. The leading cause of impaired child growth and development is malnutrition. Children with a balanced diet have a better chance of development than children raised in adverse conditions. WHO states that 5-25% of children under five have mild brain dysfunction, including impairments in fine motor development. Data on toddlers in Indonesia in 2018 experienced 64.6% of the total child development index of 88.3%. This study aims to determine the relationship between stunting and child growth and development (aged 12-36 months) in the Bara-Baraya Public Health Center, Makassar City, work area. Methods: This study is an analytical observational study with a cross-sectional perspective conducted in the working area of the Bara-Baraya Health Center in Makassar City in September-November 2022. The population of this study was children aged 12-36 months, and the sampling was carried out using purposive sampling techniques. Results: The results showed no relationship between stunting and child development (aged 12-36 months) in the work area of the Bara-Baraya Health Center with a p-value of 0.054. However, children with stunting experience more questionable development and possible deviations than children who are not stunted. Conclusion: There is no relationship between the child's development (age 12-36 months). It is recommended that policymakers, to prevent more children from suffering from stunting, are expected to evaluate and improve the nutrition intake program for the first 1000 days of life by increasing maternal awareness about the importance of fulfilling nutrition, especially micronutrients intake during pregnancy up to the first 1000 days of life.