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Maternal and Child Health Journal

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01-09-2019 | Biomarkers | Brief Reports

Associations Between Maternal Experiences of Discrimination and Biomarkers of Toxic Stress in School-Aged Children

Authors: Eileen M. Condon, Margaret L. Holland, Arietta Slade, Nancy S. Redeker, Linda C. Mayes, Lois S. Sadler

Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal | Issue 9/2019

Abstract

Objective

To examine associations between maternal experiences of discrimination and child biomarkers of toxic stress in a multiethnic, urban sample of mothers and children (4–9 years).

Methods

Data were drawn from a cross-sectional study of maternal–child dyads (N = 54) living in low-income neighborhoods in New Haven, Connecticut, USA. Mothers reported experiences of discrimination. Noninvasive biomarkers of toxic stress were collected to assess neuroendocrine (hair cortisol), immune (salivary cytokines, c-reactive protein), and cardiovascular (blood pressure) functioning in children.

Results

Maternal experiences of discrimination were associated with increased log-transformed salivary interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in children (β = 0.15, p = 0.02).

Conclusions

Vicarious racism, or indirect exposure to discrimination experienced by caregivers, is associated with poor health outcomes for children. Immune pathways may be a biological mechanism through which racial discrimination “gets under the skin,” but additional research is needed to fully understand these relationships. Uncovering the physiological mechanisms linking vicarious racism with child health is an important step towards understanding possible early roots of racial and ethnic health inequities.

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Title: Associations Between Maternal Experiences of Discrimination and Biomarkers of Toxic Stress in School-Aged Children
Authors: Eileen M. Condon
Margaret L. Holland
Arietta Slade
Nancy S. Redeker
Linda C. Mayes
Lois S. Sadler
Publication date: 01-09-2019
Publisher: Springer US
Keyword: Biomarkers
Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal / Issue 9/2019
Print ISSN: 1092-7875
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6628
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-019-02779-4

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Springer Medicine

Associations Between Maternal Experiences of Discrimination and Biomarkers of Toxic Stress in School-Aged Children

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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