The Role of IGF-1 and IL-10 in Childhood Stunting: Evidence From Indonesia.

Stunting remains a pressing public health problem in low- and middle-income countries. The specific biochemical roles of growth- and immune-related biomarkers with stunting are less understood. This study is aimed at investigating the contribution of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) to stunting among Indonesian children. A case-control design was employed involving 80 children aged 24-60 months in Manggarai, Indonesia (40 stunted and 40 nonstunted), matched by age, sex, and residence. Data were collected through anthropometric measurements, household surveys, structured interviews, and biochemical analysis of serum IGF-1 and IL-10 using ELISA. Findings revealed that stunted children had significantly lower IGF-1 levels (11.963 ± 8.658 vs. 18.000 ± 15.238, p < 0.05) and higher IL-10 levels (317.841 ± 214.934 vs. 543.605 ± 416.837, p < 0.05) compared with controls. The study concludes that effective stunting prevention requires integrated interventions addressing both nutritional adequacy and infection control in early childhood.