Neuroendocrine dysregulations in sexually abused children and adolescents: a systematic review.
Several studies provided evidence for neuroendocrine dysregulations in adults with a history of child sexual abuse. This review focuses on neuroendocrine studies in sexually abused children and adolescents, dating from January 1, 1990 to January 1, 2007 and obtained from a systematic Medline Indexed literature search to identify endocrine correlates of child sexual abuse. Results from studies on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (re)activity showed to be inconclusive. Studies on the sympathetic nervous system provided evidence for a higher baseline activity of this system in sexually abused children and adolescents. Factors contributing to divergent outcomes will be discussed and suggestions for future research will be presented.
University Medical Center Utrecht, Center for the Treatment of Psychotrauma in Children and Adolescents, 3508 AB, Utrecht, The Netherlands. i.a.e.bicanic@umcutrecht.nl
I A E
IA
Bicanic
M
M
Meijer
G
G
Sinnema
E M
EM
van de Putte
M
M
Olff
D000293:Adolescent; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology*; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone