Keywords
Childhood Trauma
Biomarkers
Hair Cortisol Concentration
Salivary Cortisol
Categories
How to Cite
Abstract
Purpose: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) encompass various traumatic events during childhood, linked to adverse health outcomes in later life. Traditional screening methods have possible pitfalls, leading to a growing interest in the use of biomarkers.
Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted resulting in the inclusion of 27 studies examining biomarkers of toxic stress in children. These studies employed diverse methodologies, including hair and saliva sampling techniques, and utilized various assessment tools for childhood adversity.
Results: The studies analyzed 1,787 hair samples and 4,170 saliva samples for associations between childhood adversity and cortisol. Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) showed a robust positive correlation with cumulative adversity, while salivary cortisol measures showed a less consistent correlation to adversity.
Discussion: Age, gender and adversity influence the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. Hair cortisol emerged as a possible biomarker for chronic stress exposure, while salivary cortisol measures offered insights into acute stress responses with conflicting results. The discrepancies in findings highlight the need for further research to elucidate the complex interplay between childhood adversity and cortisol dynamics, informing targeted interventions to mitigate long-term health effects.