The Role of Malondialdehyde Measurement as a Marker of Oxidative Stress in Stunted Children: Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction: Stunting is a form of chronic malnutrition which is still a nutritional problem in Indonesia. Stunting is characterized by a decrease in insulin-like growth factor-1, closely related to the release of excess reactive oxygen species that trigger oxidative stress. An increase in reactive oxygen species that bind to membrane lipids produces lipid peroxidase, which impacts cell damage. The research aims to obtain information regarding the role of malondialdehyde measurement as an early marker and a prognostic determinant of oxidative stress in protein-energy malnutrition children, such as stunted and marasmic.
Method: Systematic literature was conducted with published works journal searches from 23rd – 30th November 2023, relevant keywords related to the research topic in ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Cochrane databases using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis 2020 method. The quality of selected studies was evaluated using The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools. The research protocol was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42024568540).
Results: The data obtained were five articles from cross-sectional studies with the results had increased oxidative stress biomarkers, including malondialdehyde, which is significantly higher in protein-energy malnutrition children, such as stunted and marasmic, than in healthy children (p less than 0.05).
Conclusion: The malondialdehyde levels as biomarkers of oxidative stress were found to be high in stunted children.