Metrics details. This study investigated the association between child abuse [child neglect CN , emotional CEA and physical abuse CPA ] and early puberty with special regard to sex-specific effects concerning child and parental perpetrator. Data assessment took place within the framework of the LIFE Child Depression study, a longitudinal study on the development of depressive symptoms and disorders between child- and adulthood in Leipzig, Germany.
A sample of children 8β14 years was recruited from the general population and via psychiatric hospitals. Data on pubertal status were assessed using an instrument for self-assessment of tanner stages scales of physical pubertal development. Information on menarche was provided by parents. Regarding physical puberty markers, significant correlations were found, especially with child neglect CN and child emotional abuse CEA.
Sex-specific analyses identified child neglect perpetrated by mother CN m to be associated with early puberty in girls and child emotional abuse perpetrated by father CEA f with early puberty in boys. Concerning the onset of menstruation, there was a significant positive correlation between early menarche and parent-specific and non-specific child neglect CN , as well as between early menarche and child emotional abuse perpetrated by the mother CEA m.
Child physical abuse CPA was not associated with early puberty. Results outlined child neglect CN and child emotional abuse CEA to be sex- and perpetrator-specific risk factors for early pubertal development.
Knowledge of sex- and perpetrator-specific effects could help clinicians to specify their diagnostic process and to define differential prevention and treatment goals for children with experiences of CN and CEA. Peer Review reports. The past decades have witnessed a growing interest in child abuse and its sequelae. Kang et al. Changes in hormonal processes due to ACE have been identified by Heim et al.
