Neglect, HPA axis reactivity, and development

Emily B Reilly; Megan R Gunnar

doi:10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2019.07.010

Neglect, HPA axis reactivity, and development

Int J Dev Neurosci. 2019 Nov:78:100-108. doi: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2019.07.010. Epub 2019 Jul 30.

Authors

Emily B Reilly¹, Megan R Gunnar¹

Affiliation

¹ Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, United States.

PMID: 31374220
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2019.07.010

Abstract

Neglect is a common and frequently chronic form of child maltreatment that can compromise child development and increase the risk of physical and psychological problems. In this review, we discuss one of the potential ways neglect becomes biologically embedded by shaping the development of a key stress responsive system: namely, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Several potential mediators and moderators of this process are examined, including inflammation, attachment and social buffering, self-regulation, child sex and age, and genetics.

Keywords: Child development; HPA axis; Neglect.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Child
Child Abuse*
Child Development / physiology*
Humans
Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / physiopathology*
Pituitary-Adrenal System / physiopathology*
Stress, Psychological / physiopathology*
Stress, Psychological / psychology