@article{ref1,
title="Child abuse and autonomic nervous system hyporesponsivity among psychiatrically impaired children",
journal="Child abuse and neglect",
year="2010",
author="Ford, Julian D. and Fraleigh, Lisa A. and Albert, David B. and Connor, Daniel F.",
volume="34",
number="7",
pages="507-515",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: Sexually or physically abused children are at risk for neurobiological dysregulation as well as for internalizing and disruptive behavior disorders. Stress-related autonomic nervous system (ANS) down-regulation has been proposed as a sequela of abuse and was investigated in the present study. METHODS: Child Protective Services documented incidents of abuse were recorded for children in a sample of 262 pediatric psychiatric inpatients, as well as demographic, physical and intellectual functioning, and diagnostic and medication prescription data. Before and after a mildly stressful blood draw, noninvasive assessments of ANS activity were obtained. RESULTS: Controlling for all other variables in logistic regression analyses, a history of physical abuse (45% overall prevalence) was associated with poststressor ANS hyporesponsivity (i.e., heart rate deceleration). CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that a history of physical (but not sexual) abuse is associated with stressor-related ANS down-regulation in psychiatrically impaired children and adolescents. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Stressor-related autonomic hyporesponsivity secondary to physical abuse may contribute to the impairment of severely emotionally disturbed children. Differential diagnosis of psychiatrically impaired children should include identification of those who have a history of physical abuse, and their treatment should address stressor-related hyporeactivity.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0145-2134",
doi="10.1016/j.chiabu.2009.11.005",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2009.11.005"
}