All adults once were children

Abstract

All adults once were children, and children exposed to unrelenting adversities or toxic stress are at risk for developing a multitude of health conditions that threaten their development and eventual adult health status. Pediatricians and their pediatric surgeon colleagues can help families and their children develop resiliency by properly addressing the needs of families and their children and by participating in advocacy opportunities related to federal, state, and local policies affecting children. Evolving neuroscience that expands our knowledge of brain health and the relatively new field of epigenetics continue to contribute scientific information that underscores the need for attention to the health and wellbeing of the developing child in order to prevent many diseases and conditions among adults that continue to escalate healthcare costs. Resiliency is needed to combat the effects of toxic stress, and physicians are urged to work with their communities to assist families who need help learning about parenting resources to promote children's capacities for success.

Keywords: brain health; children; resiliency; toxic stress.