Child abuse in public institutions: Adversity genes involved (Review)

Damaskopoulou,Elisavet; Papakonstantinou,Eleni; Bacopoulou,Flora; Eliopoulos,Elias; Chrousos,George P.; Vlachakis,Dimitrios

doi:10.3892/ije.2022.14

Child abuse in public institutions: Adversity genes involved (Review)

Authors:
- Elisavet Damaskopoulou
- Eleni Papakonstantinou
- Flora Bacopoulou
- Elias Eliopoulos
- George P. Chrousos
- Dimitrios Vlachakis
View Affiliations

Affiliations: Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece, Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece, University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Published online on: December 2, 2022 https://doi.org/10.3892/ije.2022.14
Article Number: 5
Copyright: © Damaskopoulou et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )

Metrics: Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )

Cited By (CrossRef): 0 citations Loading Articles...

Abstract

The physical and mental health of children, as well as the effort to ensure a safe environment for their upbringing, have been the main concern of The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) since 1989; a number of countries worldwide have formed numerous organizations to defend these rights. Child abuse, in all its forms, is a major public health concern, affecting millions of children each year worldwide. A number of studies and research have been performed in order to scientifically determine that early social adversity, as well as the physical, sexual or emotional abuse of a child and neglect, lead to alterations in DNA methylation. The present review article summarizes the epigenetic effects resulting from early‑life stressful events, such as child abuse, child maltreatment, institutionalization, neglect, orphanhood and/or abandonment. These stressors can lead to a disruption of physiological biological pathways, and alter the methylation profiles in crucial regulatory pathways, such as glucocorticoid receptor signaling and cytokine signaling in immune cell function.

View Figures

View References

1	The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) (1990), General Assembly of the United Nations. https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/ProfessionalInterest/crc.pdf. Accessed on March 25, 2022.
2	Hébert M, Tremblay-Perreault A and Myre G: The interplay of depression and hostile attributions in the link between PTSD symptoms and peer victimization in child victims of sexual abuse. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 52:291–300. 2021.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
3	Bakermans-Kranenburg MJ, van Ijzendoorn MH and Juffer F: Earlier is better: A meta-analysis of 70 years of intervention improving cognitive development in institutionalized children. Monogr Soc Res Child Dev. 73:279–293. 2008.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
4	Vorria P, Papaligoura Z, Sarafidou J, Kopakaki M, Dunn J, Van Ijzendoorn MH and Kontopoulou A: The development of adopted children after institutional care: A follow-up study. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 47:1246–1253. 2006.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
5	Wolfe DA, Jaffe PG, Jetté JL and Poisson SE: The impact of child abuse in community institutions and organizations: Advancing professional and scientific understanding. Clin Psychol Sci Practice. 10:179–191. 2003.
6	European Expert Group on the Transition from Institutional to Community-based Care (2012) Common European Guidelines on the Transition from Institutional to Community-based Care. https://deinstitutionalisation.com/eeg-publications/. Accessed on March 23, 2022.
7	AMKE Roots Research Center-https://www.roots-research-center.gr. Rots Research Center NGO, 2018.
8	LUMOS: Protecting children providing solutions (2009), Ending the Institutionalisation of Children Globally-the Time is Now, 8 European Commission, Report of the Ad Hoc Expert Group on the Transition from Institutional to Community-based Care, Brussels. https://www.wearelumos.org/resources/time-now-ending-institutionalisation-children-globally/.
9	Eurochild: Child protection reform in Greece gets new impetus thanks to Eurochild and Martin James Foundation support, 2020.
10	Sutinah and Aminah S: Child abuse and neglect in orphanages in EAST JAVA Province (Study on forms of child abuse, anticipatory efforts developed children and the role of the orphanage). Children Youth Serv Rev. 93:24–29. 2018.
11	Varadan S: The Principle of Evolving Capacities under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Int J Children's Rights. 27:306–338. 2019.
12	Johnson R, Browne K and Hamilton-Giachritsis C: Young children in institutional care at risk of harm. Trauma Violence Abuse. 7:34–60. 2006.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
13	Bick J and Nelson CA: Early adverse experiences and the developing brain. Neuropsychopharmacology. 41:177–196. 2016.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
14	Bick J, Zhu T, Stamoulis C, Fox NA, Zeanah C and Nelson CA: Effect of early institutionalization and foster care on long-term white matter development: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Pediatr. 169:211–219. 2015.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
15	Nanou K: The social acceptance of Illegal practices in the Greek domestic adoption system. Adoption Fostering. 35:60–67. 2011.
16	Nsabimana E, Rutembesa E, Wilhelm P and Martin-Soelch C: Effects of institutionalization and parental living status on Children's Self-esteem, and externalizing and internalizing problems in Rwanda. Front Psychiatry. 10(442)2019.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
17	Côté SM, Orri M, Marttila M and Ristikari T: Out-of-home placement in early childhood and psychiatric diagnoses and criminal convictions in young adulthood: A population-based propensity score-matched study. Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2:647–653. 2018.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
18	Lindquist MJ and Santavirta T: Does placing children in foster care increase their adult criminality? Labour Economics. 31:72–83. 2014.
19	Humphreys KL, Gleason MM, Drury SS, Miron D, Nelson CA, Fox NA and Zeanah CH: Effects of institutional rearing and foster care on psychopathology at age 12 years in Romania: Follow-up of an open, randomised controlled trial. Lancet Psychiatry. 2:625–634. 2015.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
20	Beckett C, Castle J, Rutter M and Sonuga-Barke EJ: VI. Institutional deprivation, specific cognitive functions, and scholastic achievement: English and Romanian Adoptee (ERA) study findings. Monogr Soc Res Child Dev. 75:125–142. 2010.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
21	National Conference of State Legislatures: The Child Welfare Placement Continuum: What's Best for Children? 2019.
22	ENIL 2019 Myth Basters _EU funds and independent living.pdf., 2019.
23	Naumova OY, Rychkov SY, Kornilov SA, Odintsova VV, Anikina VО, Solodunova MY, Arintcina IA, Zhukova MA, Ovchinnikova IV, Burenkova OV, et al: Effects of early social deprivation on epigenetic statuses and adaptive behavior of young children: A study based on a cohort of institutionalized infants and toddlers. PLoS One. 14(e0214285)2019.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
24	Gonzalez A, Lovic V, Ward GR, Wainwright PE and Fleming AS: Intergenerational effects of complete maternal deprivation and replacement stimulation on maternal behavior and emotionality in female rats. Dev Psychobiol. 38:11–32. 2001.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
25	Gunnar MR and Quevedo KM: Early care experiences and HPA axis regulation in children: A mechanism for later trauma vulnerability. Prog Brain Res. 167:137–149. 2007.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
26	Lueger-Schuster B, Knefel M, Glück TM, Jagsch R, Kantor V and Weindl D: Child abuse and neglect in institutional settings, cumulative lifetime traumatization, and psychopathological long-term correlates in adult survivors: The Vienna Institutional Abuse Study. Child Abuse Negl. 76:488–501. 2018.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
27	Fast Facts: Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022.
28	Huecker MR, King KC, Jordan GA and Smock W: Domestic violence. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing, Treasure Island, FL, 2022.
29	World Health Organization (WHO): Violence Against Children, 2020.
30	Berent D, Szymańska B, Kulczycka-Wojdala D, Macander M, Pawłowska Z and Wojnar M: The role of childhood adversities, FKBP5, BDNF, NRN1, and generalized self-efficacy in suicide attempts in alcohol-dependent patients. Pharmacol Rep. 72:730–743. 2020.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
31	Fisher C, Goldsmith A, Hurcombe R and Soares C: The impacts of child sexual abuse: A rapid evidence assessment. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), July 2017.
32	Felitti VJ, Anda RF, Nordenberg D, Williamson DF, Spitz AM, Edwards V, Koss MP and Marks JS: REPRINT OF: Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults: The adverse childhood experiences (ACE) study. Am J Prev Med. 56:774–786. 2019.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
33	Ensink K, Borelli JL, Normandin L, Target M and Fonagy P: Childhood sexual abuse and attachment insecurity: Associations with child psychological difficulties. Am J Orthopsychiatry. 90:115–124. 2020.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
34	Cecil CAM, Zhang Y and Nolte T: Childhood maltreatment and DNA methylation: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 112:392–409. 2020.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
35	McGowan PO, Sasaki A, D'Alessio AC, Dymov S, Labonte B, Szyf M, Turecki G and Meaney MJ: Epigenetic regulation of the glucocorticoid receptor in human brain associates with childhood abuse. Natu Neurosci. 12:342–348. 2009.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
36	Essex MJ, Thomas Boyce W, Hertzman C, Lam LL, Armstrong JM, Neumann SMA and Kobor MS: Epigenetic vestiges of early developmental adversity: Childhood stress exposure and DNA methylation in adolescence. Child Dev. 84:58–75. 2013.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
37	Schlinzig T, Johansson S, Gunnar A, Ekström T and Norman M: Epigenetic modulation at birth-altered DNA-methylation in white blood cells after Caesarean section. Acta Paediatr. 98:1096–1099. 2009.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
38	Naumova OY, Hein S, Suderman M, Barbot B, Lee M, Raefski A, Dobrynin PV, Brown PJ, Szyf M, Luthar SS and Grigorenko EL: Epigenetic patterns modulate the connection between developmental dynamics of parenting and offspring psychosocial adjustment. Child Dev. 87:98–110. 2016.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
39	Non AL, Hollister BM, Humphreys KL, Childebayeva A, Esteves K, Zeanah CH, Fox NA, Nelson CA and Drury SS: DNA methylation at stress-related genes is associated with exposure to early life institutionalization. Am J Phys Anthropol. 161:84–93. 2016.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
40	Parade SH, Huffhines L, Daniels TE, Stroud LR, Nugent NR and Tyrka AR: A systematic review of childhood maltreatment and DNA methylation: Candidate gene and epigenome-wide approaches. Transl Psychiatry. 11:1–33. 2021.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
41	Arintcina IA, Zhukova MA, Ovchinnikova IV, Burenkova OV, Zhukova OV, Muhamedrahimov RJ and Grigorenko EL: Effects of early social deprivation on epigenetic statuses and adaptive behavior of young children: A study based on a cohort of institutionalized infants and toddlers. PLoS One. 14:1–29. 2019.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar