Published in Journal Watch Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

A recent study has confirmed that the long-term consequences of harmful childhood experiences do persist into adulthood.
 
In 1998 the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study (Am J Prev Med 1998; 14:245) showed that childhood maltreatment and family dysfunction contribute to many leading causes of death in adults.

This study followed 1037 newborns (91% of eligible births) who represented the full range of socioeconomic status (SES) in the general population. Adverse psychosocial experiences (hardship, maltreatment, and social isolation) were assessed 11 times between the ages of 3 and 32 years old.

Results:

  • Children who experienced SES disadvantage, maltreatment, or social isolation were significantly more likely to have risk factors for age-related disease as adults, and
  • Children who were exposed to a greater number of adverse experiences had a greater number of age-related risks as adults. These results were independent of genetic liability for adult diseases, birth weight, childhood weight, and adult SES and health behaviours.

Comment:
This study supports the view that adverse psychosocial experiences in childhood affect physiological responses to stress. Those children exposed to extreme and difficult living conditions while growing up are less able to process stressfull situations as adults.

The authors conclude that chronic overactivation of the physiological response to stress leads to negative consequences in stress-sensitive systems that increase risk for common chronic adult conditions.

This prospective study reminds us that, although preventable psycho-social scars during childhood might appear to heal, long-term consequences can persist into adult life. The results serve as another reminder that the best practice of pediatrics is based on the principles of bio-psychosocial medicine. — Martin T. Stein, MD

Writer Helen Splarn. Editor Dr Ramesh Manocha.

 
SOURCE: Published in Journal Watch Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. 2010