PT Merck Tbk introduces an interactive website and a children’s book to raise awareness among Indonesian families about the diverse causes of short stature, emphasising the importance of early detection and seeking medical advice beyond nutrition-focused discussions.
PT Merck Tbk is expanding its push to educate parents about child growth, using an interactive website and a children’s book to encourage regular monitoring and earlier recognition of possible growth problems. The company said the aim is not only to raise awareness of stunting, but also to help families understand that short stature can have causes beyond nutrition alone.
In a statement quoted on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, the company’s president director, Evie Yulin, said discussion of child growth in Indonesia has long centred on nutrition and stunting. That focus matters, but doctors say the picture is broader. Medical references note that a child who is significantly shorter than peers may have an underlying condition such as growth hormone deficiency, hypothyroidism, being born small for gestational age or a genetic disorder such as Turner syndrome.
Indonesia’s 2024 National Nutrition Status Survey put national stunting prevalence at 19.8 per cent, according to the figures cited by Merck. Yet specialists say stunting is only one part of the issue. The American Academy of Family Physicians and the Endocrine Society both describe short stature as a clinical sign that warrants proper evaluation, because some children have familial or constitutional growth patterns, while others have treatable medical causes.
Evie said Merck had launched takartinggi.com and the book “Arka dan Mimpi ke Luar Angkasa” as educational tools for parents and children. The company said it wants to encourage routine growth checks and help families know when to seek medical advice. That message was echoed by paediatric endocrinologist Aman Bhakti Pulungan, who said short stature can reflect a range of conditions and should not be assumed to stem from diet alone.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
