Background: Stunting in children is a persistent public health issue in Indonesia, partly linked to gut microbiota dysbiosis. This imbalance alters short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, affecting intestinal function and fecal pH. Fecal pH may serve as an indirect marker of microbial disturbance. Objective: To examine the association between fecal pH as an indicator of intestinal dysbiosis and stunting incidence among children in Indonesia. Methods: This review systematically searched Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus. Of 1,777 screened articles, 14 met inclusion criteria and were analyzed qualitatively. Results: Most studies reported higher fecal pH and microbial imbalance in stunted children. Common findings included elevated Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratios, higher pathogenic species, and reduced SCFA-producing bacteria. Synbiotic interventions improved microbial composition, lowered fecal pH, and supported growth. Conclusion: Elevated fecal pH is associated with gut dysbiosis and stunting in children. Its role as a low-cost biomarker could support early screening and targeted stunting prevention strategies in resource-limited settings.
Amriviana et al. (Sat,) studied this question.