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.
Bicanic
I A E
IA
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
Meijer
M
M
Sinnema
G
G
van de Putte
E M
EM
Olff
M
M
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