Effects of stress on bone health in children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Skeletal Biology
• Psychoneuroimmunology

Background:

• Chronic psychological stress is a significant public health issue linked to various diseases, including impaired bone health.
• While adult stress-bone health links are known, pediatric data is limited, necessitating research on childhood bone accrual.
• Stress impacts bone via endocrine, immune, dietary, physical activity, medication, and sleep pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review clinical and preclinical evidence on psychological stress's effects on pediatric bone health.
• To elucidate mechanisms linking stress to skeletal dysregulation in children.
• To identify knowledge gaps and future research directions in pediatric stress and bone health.

Main Methods:

• Review of preclinical (animal) and clinical (human) studies.
• Analysis of mechanisms including endocrine, immune, and oxidative stress pathways.
• Examination of factors like diet, physical activity, sleep, and medication.

Main Results:

• Stress influences pediatric bone health through multiple pathways, including endocrine and immune systems.
• Elevated stress can increase oxidative stress, impairing stem cell differentiation and bone formation.
• Pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) and glucocorticoids exacerbate cellular oxidative stress.

Conclusions:

• Psychological stress poses a significant risk to pediatric bone health and development.
• Oxidative stress and its downstream effects are key mediators of stress-induced skeletal deficits.
• Interventions targeting oxidative stress may offer therapeutic potential for mitigating skeletal harm.