The Effect of Maternal Micronutrient Intake on the Prevention of Stunting in Children: A Literature Review

Abstract

Child stunting remains a major global public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where maternal undernutrition adversely affects fetal growth and long-term child development. Increasing evidence suggests that inadequate maternal micronutrient intake during pregnancy plays a crucial role in determining child linear growth and stunting risk. This literature review synthesizes evidence on the role of maternal micronutrient intake in stunting prevention and evaluates the effectiveness of multiple micronutrient supplementation compared with single-nutrient interventions. A systematic review of 16 peer-reviewed international and Indonesian studies published between 2005 and 2025 was conducted, including observational studies, cohort studies, randomized controlled trials, and systematic reviews. Key variables included maternal intake of essential micronutrients-such as iron, zinc, iodine, and vitamin A and child growth indicators, particularly height-for-age z-scores and stunting prevalence. The findings indicate that inadequate maternal micronutrient intake is consistently associated with impaired fetal growth, shorter birth length, and increased risk of childhood stunting. Multiple micronutrient supplementation generally demonstrated greater improvements in birth outcomes than single-nutrient approaches. However, sustained reductions in stunting were strongly influenced by postnatal dietary adequacy and environmental conditions. Overall, maternal micronutrient intake is essential but not sufficient alone to prevent stunting, emphasizing the need for integrated, life-course nutrition strategies.