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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Anemia | Research Article

Toxic stress, health and nutrition among Brazilian children in shelters

Authors: Adriana César da Silveira, Álvaro Jorge Madeiro Leite, Poliana Coelho Cabral, Ariclécio Cunha de Oliveira, Keciany Alves de Oliveira, Pedro Israel Cabral de Lira

Published in: BMC Pediatrics | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Living in a shelter is an adverse experience that generates toxic stress. This situation can cause the dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and exert a negative impact on health.The aim of the present study was to determine the association between toxic stress and social, clinical and nutritional characteristics in children at welfare institutions in a city of northeastern of Brazil.

Methods

An analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted with male and female children up to 60 months of age who live in shelters. Hair cortisol was used for the assessment of stress (immunoassay). The anthropometric data collected were height for age, body mass index for age, arm circumference for age, and head circumference for age (expressed in z-scores). We also evaluated food intake using markers proposed by the Brazilian Dietary and Nutritional Vigilance Surveillance System as well as the occurrence of dental caries and anemia.

Results

Sixty-three children one to 60 months of age participated in the present study. Asthma was the most frequent disease (11.1%). The prevalence of short stature, anemia and dental caries in the sample was 22.2, 22.2 and 9.4%, respectively. Cortisol levels ranged from 0.93 pg/mg to 391.29 pg/mg (median: 6.17 pg/mg). Higher cortisol levels were found in children with illnesses (p = 0.012) and those who had been hospitalized after being admitted to the institutions (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

The majority of children had unhealthy eating behavior. The cortisol concentrations found in the present study were suggestive of dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Hypercortisolism was associated with illness and hospitalization.

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Title: Toxic stress, health and nutrition among Brazilian children in shelters
Authors: Adriana César da Silveira
Álvaro Jorge Madeiro Leite
Poliana Coelho Cabral
Ariclécio Cunha de Oliveira
Keciany Alves de Oliveira
Pedro Israel Cabral de Lira
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Anemia
Caries
Published in: BMC Pediatrics / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2431
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-021-02577-4

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Toxic stress, health and nutrition among Brazilian children in shelters

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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