The invisible of child abuse: Can it modify gene expression?

Lo invisible del maltrato infantil: ¿Puede modificar la expresión génica?

Abstract

Child abuse is a public health problem that according to the WHO includes all types of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, inattention, negligence, commercial or other exploitation, which results in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development or dignity. Children that are victims of abuse are at greater risk of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis, migraines, back pain, vision problems, stroke, neoplasms, smoking, obesity, malnutrition, chronic fatigue syndrome in adulthood, arthritis, intestinal disease and other autoimmune diseases.This could be explained especially by epigenetic alterations, mostly DNA methylation. The main molecular alteration found was methylation associated with genes related to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, neurotransmitter pathways, immune system as well as the shortening of telomeres. In conclusion, work must be done to raise awareness, and in consequence, specific strategies to respect children's rights. The information available was consulted through a literature search in Spanish and English in databases as Pubmed, INEGI, Google Scholar, and journals as Lancet and Nature until January the 7th. The keywords used for the research separately and in combination were “violence”, “methylation”,” domestic violence”, “Child abuse”, “DNA”, “disorder” and “maltreatment”.