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. 2020 Oct 28:371:m3048.
doi: 10.1136/bmj.m3048.

Adversity in childhood is linked to mental and physical health throughout life

Affiliations

Adversity in childhood is linked to mental and physical health throughout life

Charles A Nelson et al. BMJ. .

Abstract

The prevalence of “toxic stress” and huge downstream consequences in disease, suffering, and financial costs make prevention and early intervention crucial, say Charles A Nelson and colleagues

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: We have read and understood BMJ policy on declaration of interests and have no relevant interests to declare. Provenance and peer review: Commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
The interplay of adversities, context, and human development
Fig 2
Fig 2
Some of the pathways that mediate exposure to early adversity and adult outcomes. Exposure to adversity early in life interacts with a child’s genetic endowment (eg variations in genetic polymorphisms), which in turn leads to a host of biological changes across multiple levels. These changes, in turn, influence adult outcomes (adapted from Berens et al23). HPA axis (SHRP)=hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis (stress hyporesponsive period)
None

References

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