The Forgotten Link: How the Oral Microbiome Shapes Childhood Growth and Development

Raymond Rubianto Tjandrawinata ^1* Amalia Nurlinah ² Yosi Yohanes Putra Tandi ³ Ariq Fadhil Athallah ⁴ Caesaroy Afif Wibowo ⁵ Muhammad Reva Aditya ² Athaya Rahmanardi Muhammad ² Maghfira Rahma Azizah ² Farizky Martriano Humardani ² Ammar Nojaid ² Jeremy Alvaro Christabel ² Alfi Agnuristyaningrum ² Fahrul Nurkolis ^6,7

• ¹ Center for Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Research and Policy, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia
• ² Faculty of Medicine, University of Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia
• ³ Bachelor of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine,, Padjadjaran University, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia
• ⁴ University of Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia
• ⁵ Faculty of Medicine, Airlangga University, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia
• ⁶ Medical Research Center of Indonesia, Surabaya, Indonesia
• ⁷ Master of Basic Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Airlangga University, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia

Childhood stunting, defined as impaired linear growth and development, remains a significant global health challenge with long-term consequences on cognitive and physical well-being. Emerging evidence highlights the pivotal role of the oral microbiome—a dynamic microbial ecosystem—in influencing nutritional status, immune response, and overall systemic health. This review explores the intricate interplay between the oral microbiome and stunting, emphasizing mechanisms such as microbial dysbiosis, its impact on nutrient absorption, and immune modulation. Disruptions in the oral microbiome can lead to nutrient malabsorption and systemic inflammation, further exacerbating growth impairments in children. Furthermore, the potential for microbiome-targeted diagnostics and interventions, including probiotics and prebiotics, offers novel strategies to address stunting. A deeper understanding of these interactions may inform innovative diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions aimed at mitigating stunting through oral microbiome modulation. Integrating oral microbiome research into stunting prevention efforts could provide valuable insights for public health strategies to improve child growth and development, particularly in resource-limited settings. Future research should focus on elucidating the molecular pathways linking the oral microbiome to stunting and developing personalized interventions that optimize microbiome health in early life.