CYP Now - Early life adversity exposure and circulating markers of inflammation in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The ACEs study was not the first to observe a connection between child maltreatment and poor mental health outcomes. However, it was one of the first studies to observe that a link also existed between ACEs and poor adult physical health.

Link between ACEs and poor outcomes may better be explained by factors such as poverty. - Picture: Adobe Stock/Aleksey

Early life adversity exposure and circulating markers of inflammation in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors: KR Kuhlman, SR Horn, JJ Chiang and JE Bower

Published by: Brain, Behavior and Immunity, 2020

The ACE study authors originally assumed that this link might be explained by health harming behaviours (for example, smoking, drinking and using illicit drugs) used by those who have experienced ACEs to cope with the trauma.

Researchers have since suggested that the relationship between ACEs and poor physical health might also be explained by high levels of trauma-related stress (also known as “toxic” stress) that exert wear and tear on the immune system over time. Researchers have identified a number of biomarkers, such as chronic inflammation, that may be indicative of this stress-related wear and tear.

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