International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN: 2319-7064 ResearchGate Impact Factor (2018): 0.28 | SJIF (2018): 7.426 Volume 9 Issue 1, January 2020 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY The Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Change in CRP Levels and the Frequency of Illness in Stunting Children Ages 12-36 Months Lewi Jutomo 1 , Bambang Wirjatmadi 2 , Rudi Irawan 3 Post Graduate Program, Program Study of Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, University Airlangga, Surabaya 1 Student Doctoral, Faculty of Public Health, AirlanggaUniversity, Surabaya 2 Lecturer Doctoral, Faculty of Public Health, Airlangga University, Surabaya 3 Lecturer Doctoral Program, Medical Faculty, Airlangga University, Surabaya Abstract: The main cause of children under five is stunting is lack of food and infection, the mutual relationship weakens the immune system. The great burden of infection is its effect carried into adulthood so that it has serious consequences on health, and the formation of the quality of human capital. It is known that omega-3 fatty acids can act as anti-inflammatory. Therefore, supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids is expected to control the synthesis of CRP thereby reducing the frequency of illness.The purpose of this study was to analyze the role of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in controlling CRP synthesis, thereby reducing the frequency of pain that is often experienced in stunting children aged 12-36 months.This research method is randomized, pre-post test control group design clinical trial. Subjects consisting of 12 children in the control group received placebo, another 12 children in the treatment group were given omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for 2 months. The parameters observed were levels of CRP and frequency of illness. Data were analyzed using t-test.The results of the study, based on observations at the beginning and end of the study, showed that only subjects in the control group CRP levels increased significantly (p <0.05), then subjects in the treatment group frequency of illness were significantly reduced (P <0.05) compared to controls.It was concluded that omega-3 fatty acids play a role in inhibiting CRP synthesis, thereby reducing the frequency of illness in stunting children aged 12-36 months significantly compared to the control group.Need to provide omega-3 fatty acids supplementation in toddlers stunting to improve immune response and reduce the frequency of illness. Keywords: omega-3 fatty acids, CRP, frequency of illness, stunting toddlers aged 12-36 months. 1. Introduction Stunting children are a global public health problem with wide implications, such as malnourished children can increase the risk of death from infection due to disease (Rytter et al, 2014). Calder and Jackson (2000) explain that there is a reciprocal relationship between infection and malnutrition, both of which ultimately weaken the immune system or host defense. Infection causes inflammation which results in increased nutrient requirements. Ironically, the state of infection depresses appetite, consequently exacerbating malnutrition and weakening the immune system. The burden of infection is large, the effects carry over into adulthood. Martorell and Zongrone, (2012) state that failure to encourage linear growth has serious consequences on health both in the short and long term, as well as on the formation of quality human capital. Suliman et al., (2011) found that children in Sudan who are malnourished have higher CRP levels than controls and are higher in children related to respiratory illness and fever. Since 1929, Burr and Burr have confirmed that EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids are essential for health, and their deficiencies in the diet can cause illness. Various epidemiological studies have been conducted to prove that omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA reduce various diseases (Kohly and Levy, 2009). Its ability in controlling infection, through its derivatives in the form of bioactive compounds namely: resolvin, protectin and maresin. Its action is via specific cells mediated by appropriate receptors (Duvall and Levy, 2015). Hastruck et al. (2007) found that resolvin series E (RvE1) is a derivative of these omega-3 fatty acids, has the ability to encourage inflammation resolution as a target of perfect recovery from local lesions, and reduces systemic inflammatory markers such as CRP and IL-1 in experiments on rabbits. In addition, these omega-3 fatty acids show a protective role in allergic diseases and respiration (Shek et al., 2012). Therefore, this study wants to prove the role of omega-3 fatty acids in controlling CRP synthesis so that it can reduce the frequency of pain. Thus, in the end it can spur the growth of stunting toddlers aged 12-36 months. 2. Material and Methods This research method is classified as a clinical trial experiment with randomized, pre-post test control group design. The sample is divided into 2 groups namely; the control group as a placebo and the treatment group were given supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids with each group placed 12 children under five as subjects, so that the total number of subjects participating totaled 24 short children under five. Placement of subjects into the treatment group was done by simple random sampling, using lottery. The 24 children under five who participated in this study were recruited from data available at the Sikumana-Kupang Community Health Center. Criteria for inclusion of subjects in this study were healthy toddlers (physically healthy, mentally, socially and normal activities), ages 12-36 months, short nutritional status (TB / U <2 SD), and parents willing Paper ID: ART20203924 DOI: 10.21275/ART20203924 299