Associations Between Early-Life Adversity, Ambient Air Pollution, and Telomere Length in Children

Bibliographic Data

ID19304438
AuthorsRosemarie de la Rosa (0000-0002-3624-8388, University of California, San Francisco, corresponding author), Austin Le (0000-0002-9093-5824, University of California, Berkeley, corresponding author), Stephanie M Holm (0000-0001-5200-1716), Stephanie Holm, Morgan Ye (0000-0002-0023-8946, University of California, San Francisco), Newell Richard Bush (0000-0003-0217-9975, University of California, San Francisco), Nicole R Bush, Danielle Hessler (0000-0002-4568-6953, University of California, San Francisco), Kadiatou Koita (0000-0002-2947-1696, Youth Development), Monica Bucci (0000-0001-7522-2810, Youth Development), Dayna Long (0000-0003-4593-5742, University of California, San Francisco), Neeta Thakur (0000-0001-6126-6601, University of California, San Francisco)
Year2024
Volume86
Issue5
Pages422-430
Publication date2024-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsychosomatic Medicine (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-3174 • E-ISSN: 1534-7796
PublisherOvid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1097/psy.0000000000001276
PMID38588482
OpenAlexW4394564437
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited69

OBJECTIVE: Examine the independent associations and interaction between early-life adversity and residential ambient air pollution exposure on relative buccal telomere length (rBTL). METHODS: Experiences of abuse, neglect, household challenges, and related life events were identified in a cross-sectional sample of children aged 1 to 11 years ( n = 197) using the 17-item Pediatric ACEs and Related Life Event Screener (PEARLS) tool. The PEARLS tool was analyzed both as a total score and across established domains (Maltreatment, Household Challenges, and Social Context). Ground-level fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) concentrations were matched to residential locations for the 1 and 12 months before biospecimen collection. We used multivariable linear regression models to examine for independent associations between continuous PM 2.5 exposure and PEARLS score/domains with rBTL. In addition, effect modification by PEARLS scores and domains on associations between PM 2.5 exposure and rBTL was examined. RESULTS: Study participants were 47% girls, with mean (standard deviation) age of 5.9 (3.4) years, median reported PEARLS score of 2 (interquartile range [IQR], 4), median 12-month prior PM 2.5 concentrations of 11.8 μg/m 3 (IQR, 2.7 μg/m 3 ), median 1-month prior PM 2.5 concentrations of 10.9 μg/m 3 (IQR, 5.8 μg/m 3 ), and rBTL of 0.1 (IQR, 0.03). Mean 12-month prior PM 2.5 exposure was inversely associated with rBTL ( β = -0.02, 95% confidence interval = -0.04 to -0.01). Although reported PEARLS scores and domains were not independently associated with rBTL, we observed a greater decrement in rBTL with increment of average annual PM 2.5 as reported Social Context domain items increased ( p -interaction < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that adverse Social Context factors may accelerate the association between chronic PM 2.5 exposure on telomere shortening during childhood

Air pollution · Biology · Cellular Aging · DNA · Environmental health · Telomere · Birth, Development, and Health · Ecology · Genetics · Health, Environment, Cognitive Aging · Medicine · Psychology · Telomeres, Telomerase, and Senescence

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