A Study of Epigenetic Alterations, Hormonal and Behavioral Disturbances In Relation To Recurrent Childhood Adversities

Abstract

Childhood adversities have detrimental effects on children’s development with bio- psycho-social consequences throughout life. Children are impacted by many types of adversities but mainly childhood abuse and neglect. The aim of the current study was to assess the association of exposure to early childhood adversities with epigenetic alterations of glucocorticoid receptor gene, hair cortisol level, cognitive and behavioral status in a sample of Egyptian primary schools children. The study was carried out on 114 students aged between 7 – 11.5 years. All recruited children were interviewed individually and responded to the Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire. Child behavior and IQ assessment were achieved using Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSCL) and Wechsler Intelligence Scale respectively. Assessment of chronic alteration of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis through hair cortisol level measurement and epigenetic alterations of glucocorticoid receptor gene were performed in a subsample of the recruited students