Adverse childhood experiences, epigenetics and telomere length variation in childhood and beyond: a systematic review of the literature.

ABSTRACT: A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted to answer the question: What epigenetic, telomeric and associated biological changes are associated with exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in the under 12s? Using PRISMA guidelines, appropriate databases were searched. 190 papers were returned with 38 articles fully reviewed. Articles were each independently quality rated by two authors using the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool and data were extracted. Of the 38 articles, 23 were rated as very high quality. Most study participants were adults (n = 7769) with n = 727 child participants. Only seven of the very/high-quality studies were prospective and involved children. Methylation was the most studied method of epigenetic modification. There is some evidence supporti

SUBMITTER: Lang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7501093 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature