Increased Exposure to Violence and Risk of Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children

Abstract

Exposure of children and adolescents to violence has significant short and long-term consequences in terms of academic, social, physical, and psychological functioning.1,2 The relationship of exposure to traumatic events, including various forms of violence, with depression, anger, anxiety, dissociation, posttraumatic stress, and total trauma symptoms has been widely debated.1-3 It is largely accepted that adverse early life experiences and abusive events suffered during childhood can cause profound effects on the development and function of the nervous system and increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders.4 Studies investigating the relationship between various types of neurodevelopmental disorders and exposure to violence and their consequences have been inconclusive.3 The alarming phenomenon of family and domestic violence has increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic.5 Several studies have documented a surge in abuse-related physical and nonphysical trauma in children during this period.6 Similar observations have been made after periods of economic decline or turbulence.7 This commentary, authored by the Working Group on Social Pediatrics of the European Paediatric Association/ Union of National European Paediatric Societies and Associations (EPA/UNEPSA), briefly discusses the important relationship between the occurrence of traumatic events, particularly violence, and neurodevelopmental disorders in children. Our aim is to raise awareness of these circumstances, which may occur during or following periods of social turmoil, as in the case of the 2009 economic crisis8,9 and the COVID-19 pandemic,10 and expose children to the risks of serious immediate and long-term effects on their health and well-being.