The interaction of socioeconomic stress and race on telomere length in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Proposed mechanisms relating early life exposures to poor health suggest that biologic indicators of risk are observable in childhood. Telomere length (TL) is a biomarker of aging, psychosocial stress, and a range of environmental exposures. In adults, exposure to early life adversity, including low socioeconomic status (SES), is predictive of shorter TL. However, results in pediatric populations have been mixed. Defining the true relation between TL and SES in childhood is expected to enhance the understanding of the biological pathways through which socioeconomic factors influence health across the life span.

Objective

The aim of this meta-analysis was to systematically review and quantitatively assess the published literature to better understand how SES, race,

SUBMITTER: Francis M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10102414 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature