Adverse childhood experiences and severity levels of inflammation and depression from childhood to young adulthood: a longitudinal cohort study

• DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01478-x
• Publication Date: 2022-03-03T10:04:02Z
• Authors: Eleonora Iob; Rebecca Lacey; Valentina Giunchi...; Andrew Steptoe
• Keywords: Depression; Longitudinal Study

Abstract Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with depression and systemic inflammation in adults. However, limited longitudinal research has tested these relationships children young people, it is unclear whether an underlying mechanism through which ACEs influence depression. We examined the associations of several across different early-life periods patterns adulthood assessed mediating role inflammation. The data came from Avon Longitudinal Study Parents Children ( N = 3931). prenatal period to adolescence were operationalised using cumulative scores, single adversities, dimensions derived factor analysis. Inflammation (C-reactive protein) was measured on three occasions (9–18 years) depressive symptoms ascertained four (18–23 years). Latent class growth analysis employed delineate group-based trajectories between inflammation/depression multinomial logistic regression Most types all elevated trajectories, larger for threat-related adversities compared other ACEs. Bullying victimisation sexual abuse late childhood/adolescence CRP while unrelated also did not mediate These results suggest that consistently depression, whereas weak people. Interventions targeting this population might offer protection against