Peer-reviewed article
Stunting Management: A Systematic Review
Essy Sonontiko Sayekti, Anisah Ardiana, Tantut Susanto ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This systematic review synthesized evidence from 15 studies on how to manage childhood stunting, a condition that impairs children's cognitive development and future productivity. The review identified seven key strategies: adequate child nutrition, breastfeeding and colostrum, government policies, health promotion, maternal mental health, home visits with mentoring, and environmental sanitation. The analysis emphasizes that maternal factors—including nutrition during pregnancy, breastfeeding practices, and mental health—are central to preventing and managing stunting. Cross-sectoral collaboration between government and community is essential for effective stunting management.
Key points
- Seven main strategies for stunting management were identified: nutrition fulfillment, breastfeeding/colostrum, government policies, health promotion, maternal mental health, home visits/mentoring, and environmental sanitation
- Maternal factors are the primary focus, starting from maternal nutrition during pregnancy through breastfeeding and maternal mental health
- Good parenting supported by maternal well-being is essential for managing stunting
- Cross-sectoral cooperation from government and community support is required
- Stunting negatively impacts children's cognitive development and future productivity
Limitations
The review does not report effect sizes, outcome comparisons, or the strength of evidence for individual strategies. It is unclear which strategies have the strongest evidence base or how effective each strategy is in reducing stunting rates.
Abstract
Stunting is a global problem, especially in developing countries. The management of stunting involves the cooperation of various parties and several factors that are carried out to overcome and prevent stunting because of its impact on hindering cognitive and productivity of children in the future. This study was designed to determine the management of handling children with stunting. This research method is a systematic literature review using 4 electronic databases namely PubMed, Google Scholar, Sciencedirect, and ProQuest. Articles containing stunting management strategy were analyzed using the PRISMA method. There were 15 articles met the criteria based on PRISMA analysis, emphasizing 7 strategies in the management of stunted children, namely fulfilling child nutrition, breastfeeding and colustrum, government policies, health promotion, maternal mental health, home visits (mentoring) and environmental sanitation.The main management of stunting is the maternal factor, starting from the fulfillment of nutrition during pregnancy period, breastfeeding to maternal mental health to provide good parenting. Cross-sectoral cooperation from the government and community support is also required to help care for children with stunting.