Vol. 23 No. 3, Page 73-114

July 1, 2004

The role of birth status on stunting in infants : a prospective study

By Kusharisupeni

            In Indonesia, many infants and young children have an inadequate nutritonal status reflected by high prevalence of stunting. Stunting indicates a public health problem because of its association with an increased risk of morbidity, mortality, and delayed motor development. A cohort prospective studi was conducted to evaluate the role of birth status on stunting in infants. Seven hundred and twenty newborn were able to be measured at birth in two Subdistricts Sliyeg and Gabus Wetan, Indramayu Regency. This study showed, that at 3 and 6 months of age, there was a significant difference for boys between the mean of length of the normal group and the preterm, intra uterine growth retardation - low Ponderal index (IUGR LPI), and intra uterine growth retardation - adequate Ponderal index (IUGR API) groups. In girls there was a significant difference between the length of the normal group and preterm, and the IUGR group. At 12 months of age there was a significant difference for boys between the normal and the preterm, IUGR API and the IUGR LPI groups. For the girls there was a significant difference between the normal group and the preterm and between the normal group and the IUGR API. The relative risk for growth faltering was greater in those infants who have had falter previously and there was no catch up growth of the low birth weight group. All groups of birth status contributed on stunting at 12 months of age, the greatest with the IUGR API group, and normal group the lowest.

Language : Indonesia

An in vitro study : inhibition effect of zinc sulfate on growth of Salmonella species

By Julius E. Suryawidjaja*, Elly Herwana**, Adi Hidayat***, dan Murad Lesmana*

            Zinc supplementation has been reported effective in reducing the duration and severity of diarrhea by enhancing the recovery and regeneration of impaired intestinal epithelial cells. Among enteropathogens that cause diarrhea, Salmonella species are one of the major pathogens causing diarrheal diseases. Effect of zinc on growth of Salmonella species had never been reported. This study was undertaken to evaluate the inhibition effect of zinc sulfate on growth of Salmonella species. A number (15%) of Salmonella ser. Typhi strains tested were inhibited by zinc sulfate of 1.0 mg/mL and were completely inhibited at the concentration of zinc sulfate of 1.8 mg/mL. Following Salmonella ser. Typhi was Salmonella ser. Typhimurium, of which 7% were also beginning to be inhibited by zinc sulfate at 1.0 mg/mL. Other Salmonellae were inhibited by zinc sulfate at concentrations between 1.2 mg/mL and 2.0 mg/mL. However, Salmonella ser. Paratyphi A was the only Salmonella species which showed a narrow range of zinc inhibition concentrations, between 1.2 – 1.6 mg/mL. This in vitro study indicate that zinc has an inhibition effect on growth of Salmonella serotypes which was found as the causative agents of diarrheal diseases.

Language : Indonesia

Body mass index as determinant of coronary heart disease in adults more than 35 years of age

By Martiem Mawi

            The 2001 National Health Survey showed that the primary caused of mortality was circulation system disease wich consisted heart and vascular disease around 26.3%. The largest proportion of mortality due to circulatory diseases was among the 35 years olds and above. The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) showed that age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, increased of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and decreased of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), as independent risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD). This study examined body mass index (BMI) as a determinant of CHD in adults above 35 years old. A cross sectional study of 80 respondents >35 years old was done in two villages in North and East Jakarta. The study showed that there were significant differences between HDL-C and trigliceride levels in men and women (p = 0.001 and p = 0.035). The prevalence of CHD was 17,5% and was not significantly different between CHD prevalence in men (12.5%) and women (22.5%) (p=0.239). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that BMI was a determinant factor that caused CHD compared to total cholesterol and LDL-C, although not significant statistically. This study showed that BMI was a determinant factor for CHD, and the risk of CHD in the overweight group was higher than ideal and underweight groups.

Language : Indonesia

Static anthropometric dimension characteristics of Medical Faculty Trisakti University students age 19 - 21 years

By Ridwan Harrianto, Ardian Boer, Victor Satyadi, Diana Samara,

            Anthropometric data are an important factors for product and workspace design. A cross- sectional study was conduted to determine the static anthropometric dimension of Medical Faculty Trisakti University students age 19 to 21 years. Hundred male and 100 female students were recruited using simple random sampling from a total of 552 students. Thirty-six different standards of body dimensions and weight were determined to indentify the measures which will be applicable in workplaces. This study showed that for female students, the average stature and body weight were 1566 mm (SD 52) and 53.2 kg (SD 9.3), respectively, whereas the male were 1684 mm (SD 54) and 66.0 kg (SD 13.1), respectively. Average values of 5th, median and 95th percentile of all measurements of standard anthropometric postures were also determined. Data obtained from this study may be useful for workplaces and equipment designs for the Indonesians. However, a similar study on a larger population which includes varieties of ethnic and socioeconomic groups in Indonesia is encouraged for establishing national anthropometric static dimensions standards.

Language : Indonesia

Recent developments of cholera infections

By Murad Lesmana

            Cholera continues to be an imporant public health problem among many developing countries in Africa, Asia and Sout America, despite the bacteriology and epidemiology of the disease having been described over a century ago. The number of reported cholera cases worldwide around 5.5 million cases per year. Molecular techniques such as chromosomal restriction fragment length polymorphism and pulse field gel electrophoresis ribotyping have enabled researchers to gain new insight into pathogenicity, and into the relationship between environmental and clinical strains. Disease management continues to be based on dehydration pevention. Therapy with antimicrobial agents (tetracycline, cotrimoxazole and ciprofloxacin) reduces the severity and duration of symptoms although resistance to these agents has been reported.Two oral cholera vaccines are available; an attenuated live vaccine based on the genetically modified V.cholerae O1 strain (Orochol), and a killed wholecell V.cholerae O1 strain with purified cholera toxinc (Dukoral). A greater understanding of the pathogen, its biology, ecology, epidemiology, treatment and prevention, are essential for the control of cholera.

Language : Indonesia

Management of Helicobacter pylori infection in children

By Edi Setiawan Tehuteru

            Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) has colonised in the stomach and is associated with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer. In developing countries, the prevalence of infection can be 80% in children < 10 years old. In developed countries, the prevalence of H.pyolri infection in children is about 10%. Various studies on this bacteria are still being conducted including its diagnosis and treatment. The level of bacterial virulence is suspect related to several of its clinical symptoms. Repeated bouts of gastritis are clinical symptoms, often seen in children, so that this symptom is an indication for further examination of H.pylori infection. The diagnosis of H.pylori infection in childhood is most often made at endoscopy. Symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, and haemetemesis may be associated with H.pylori infection. Treatment with triple regimen (omeprazole/clarithromycin/tinidazole) is highly effective for treating H.pylori infection in children. With socioeconomic development, fewer children are acquiring H.pylori. Improved nutrition and environment may reduce the prevalence of H.pylori infection in children. The most effective approach to reduce the prevalence of gastric carcinoma is to prevent childhood H.pylori infection. Armed with epidemiologic knowledge may be possible to develop effective intervention strategies to reduce the prevalence of H.pylori infection.

Language : Indonesia