The obesity case has been handled well; the cause is genetic abnormalities
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Health Ministry has said that Muhammad Kenzie Alvaro, a 16-month-old toddler from Bekasi, West Java, who recently came into the spotlight over his weight, became obese due to genetic abnormalities.

The toddler weighs 27 kilograms, which is very high for his age.

"The obesity case has been handled well; the cause is genetic abnormalities. We will conduct an evaluation to see whether we need to perform surgery," Deputy Minister of Health Dante Saksono Harbuwono informed here on Friday, after the inauguration of Kanigara Building at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM).

One surgery that could be performed on him will involve shortening the length of the intestine so as to reduce the rate of food absorption, Harbuwono said.

To date, a team of 10 surgeons from RSCM is still observing Alvaro, considering that he is just 16 months old, he added.

"Another approach that can be done is through diet therapy. Surgery therapy, if it is deemed necessary," the deputy minister said.

An evaluation is on to determine if Alvaro is old enough to undergo surgery, he added.

At the inauguration, the Director of Jakarta Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Lies Dina Liastuti, stated that Alvaro's condition is a rare one.

“So, it is not easy to find the cause," she added.

Obesity is not only caused by eating habits, but can also be triggered by genetic causes, she said. There aren’t many cases of obesity caused by the latter, hence medical specialists are still conducting examinations.

The hospital has involved specialist and sub-specialist doctors to help address Alvaro's case, Liastuti informed.

"There are pediatrician, hepatologist, nutritionist, rare disorders division, all of them still collaborate to get to the bottom of the case," she disclosed.

She estimated that Alvaro's lab reports will be out in 28 days.

Alvaro is a resident of Tarumajaya, Bekasi, West Java. The local government referred him to RSCM about two weeks ago for a consultation with a nutritionist over his weight. The child's treatment costs are being covered by the Health Social Security (BPJS Kesehatan).

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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
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