The Next Generation of Trauma-Informed Care: Supporting Early Relational Health in Primary Care Pediatrics

The focus of pediatric trauma-informed care (TIC) has been shifting from simple awareness of trauma to actionable steps that any practicing pediatrician can implement. Recent changes in conceptualizing TIC highlight the role of early relational health (ERH) in trauma prevention, as well as in mitigating the effects of childhood adversity. Pediatricians are ideally positioned to embrace this shift by incorporating strategies for supporting the caregiver-child relationship in wellness care in early childhood. ERH, when assessed and supported throughout the course of a pediatric patient's well-child visits, becomes "100 little conversations" between pediatricians and families, and works to build the connection between caregivers and their children over time. This article explains the importance of ERH and outlines 5 key steps toward improving health outcomes and shaping children's life trajectory.