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. 2020 Oct 28;371:m3048. doi: 10.1136/bmj.m3048

Table 1.

Health conditions in children associated with adverse childhood experiences (ACE)

Symptom or health condition For ≥ x ACEs (compared with 0) Odds ratio
Asthma 4 1.7-2.8
Allergies 4 2.5
Dermatitis and eczema 3* 2.0
Urticaria 3* 2.2
Increased incidence of chronic disease, impaired management 3 2.3
Any unexplained somatic symptoms(eg, nausea/vomiting, dizziness, constipation, headaches) 3 9.3
Headaches 4 3.0
Enuresis, encopresis - -
Overweight, obesity 4 2.0
Failure to thrive, poor growth; psychosocial dwarfism
Poor dental health 4 2.8
Increased infections (viral, upper and lower respiratory tract infections and pneumonia, acute otitis media, urinary tract infections, conjunctivitis, intestinal 3* 1.4-2.4
Later menarche (≥ 14 years) 2* 2.3
Sleep disturbances 5† PR† 3.1
Developmental delay 3 1.9
Learning and/or behaviour problems 4 32.6
Repeating a year at school 4 2.8
Not completing homework 4 4.0
High school absenteeism 4 7.2
Graduating from high school 4 0.4
Aggression, physical fighting For each additional ACE 1.9
Depression 4 3.9
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 4 5.0
Any of: ADHD, depression, anxiety, conduct/behaviour disorder 3 4.5
Suicidal ideation For each additional ACE 1.9
Suicide attempts 1.9-2.1
Self-harm 1.8
First use of alcohol at <14 years 4 6.2
First use of illicit drugs at <14 years 5 9.1
Early sexual debut (<15-17 years) 4 3.7
Teenage pregnancy 4 4.2
*

Odds ratio represents at least one ACE, but also includes other adversities

Prevalence ratio represents at least one ACE, but also includes other adversities