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Adverse childhood experiences: translating knowledge into identification of children at risk for poor outcomes

Ariane Marie-Mitchell1, Thomas G O'Connor

  • 1Loma Linda University, Preventive Medicine Department, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA. amariemitchell@llu.edu

Academic Pediatrics
|January 15, 2013
PubMed

Insights

This study piloted a tool to screen for adverse childhood experiences (ACE). The 7-item ACE tool identified higher risks for behavior problems, developmental delays, and injuries in young children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Child Psychology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) significantly impact child development and health outcomes.
  • Early identification of children exposed to ACE is crucial for timely intervention.
  • Existing screening tools may require further validation for specific age groups and settings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To pilot test a tool for screening Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) in young children.
  • To evaluate the tool's ability to differentiate early child outcomes between lower- and higher-risk groups.
  • To assess the utility of a 6-item and a 7-item ACE screening tool.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 102 children aged 4-5 years at an urban federally qualified health center.
  • Utilized a 6-item and a 7-item Child ACE tool for risk exposure assessment.
  • Logistic regression analyses adjusted for child sex, ethnicity, and birth weight.

Main Results:

  • The 7-item ACE tool showed significant associations with increased odds of behavior problems (aOR 3.12), developmental delay (aOR 3.66), and injury visits (aOR 5.65).
  • Conversely, higher ACE scores were associated with lower odds of obesity (aOR 0.32).
  • Effect sizes were largely comparable between the 6-item and 7-item tools, except for developmental subscales.

Conclusions:

  • Brief screening tools can effectively identify children exposed to ACE and associated early child outcomes.
  • The 7-item Child ACE tool shows promise for identifying risks for behavior problems, developmental delays, and injuries.
  • Further research should test the integration of the 7-item ACE tool into clinical practice and monitor child outcomes.
Abstract

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