In addition to the severe consequences that result from child abuse, researchers believe that trauma may result in the accelerated aging of the cells of these individuals when they become adults. Stress and trauma are considered to be risk factors for numerous psychological and physiological disorders, including depression and substance abuse.

Using molecular biological technology, scientists may have found an association between childhood adversity and the state of their health at the cellular level. They were able to formulate their conclusions by focusing on a short pieces of DNA known as telomeres.

Telomeres are short sequences of nucleotides that form stabilizing end-caps to our chromosomes. Every time our cells divide, because of the limitations of replication, not all of the telomeres are reproduced. Thus, with each round of cell division, the telomeres become progressively shorter. They therefore give us an indication of the age of the cell, and in certain instances, cellular health. Short telomeres have in fact been linked to a variety of chronic age-associated illnesses, including heart disease and cancer.

To arrive at their findings, published in the journal Biological Psychiatry, researchers examined the DNA of healthy adults who reported a history childhood abuse or maltreatment. What they found was that individuals who were treated poorly in their youth had shorter telomeres.

The data suggests that the experiences a person has early in their lives can have a lasting and profound impact on our bodies at the basic level, affecting us not just at the emotional and psychological state, but our cellular mechanisms, as well. It also highlights yet another way in which the circumstances that a person grows up in might possibly have long term health consequences.

Child abuse is a constant problem in our society, and one only has to read the newspaper or watch the news to hear reports of how prevalent the problem is. According to some estimates, nearly 3 million cases of child abuse and neglect are reported each year, a majority of which are reported to Child Protective Services and involve neglect and physical and/or sexual abuse. However, what is reported to the authorities may very well be only the tip of the iceberg, for many instances of abuse presumably go unreported.

Part of the reason for this is because most abuse occurs within the family at the hands of a caregiver or someone they know. As a result, children may be hesitant to alert somebody of the situation, or is afraid. Adults who are predisposed to abusing their kids were often abused themselves, and may suffer from depression, mental health problems, or have substance abuse issues. Poverty is also a risk factor.

The long term consequences of child abuse or neglect can be devastating, and can lead to severe emotional and psychological consequences. Unfortunately, abuse is not always easy to recognize, which makes it all the more important for parents to look for signs or symptoms. These include:

• physical injuries, including broken bones that cannot be explained
• increased anxiety or depression
• inappropriate sexual behavior
• loss of self-confidence
• sudden and inexplicable manifestations of pain
• poor school performance
• social withdrawal
• loss of appetite

If you suspect that your child is being abused, seek out help and alert the authorities immediately. Your child’s life could depend on it. For more information about child abuse, talk to you pediatrician, or visit the website for Healthy Children (a service of the American Academy of Pediatrics) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).