Trauma in childhood associated with risk to female offspring

Can childhood trauma be inherited or passed on in some way? The answer is yes, but exactly how is unclear. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are not only associated with scarring in adulthood, but there is evidence that the harms could be passed down to the next generation as well. In one study looking specifically at psychiatric hospitalization, researchers have found that the risk was passed down from mothers, but not fathers, and passed down only to females, not males. The highest risk in offspring was for mood disorders.

Source: The Brown University Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology Update - December 26, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Tags: ACEs Source Type: research