Lack of association between the 5-HTTLPR and positive screening for mental disorders among children exposed to urban violence and maltreatment

Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria

Giuliana C. Cividanes¹  Andrea F. Mello¹  Juliana M. Sallum¹  Victor Fossaluza¹  Marcio De Medeiros¹  Mariana R. Maciel¹  Luciana P. Cavalcante-nobrega¹  Jair J. Mari¹  Marcelo F. Mello¹  Nina L. Valentte¹ 

关键词: Serotonin transporter polymorphism;    child maltreatment;    child labor;    street children;   

DOI  :  10.1590/1516-4446-2013-1150

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

Objective: To ascertain whether genetic variations in the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR 44-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism) influence an increase in depressive and anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents exposed to high levels of violence. Methods: Saliva samples were collected from a group of children who were working on the streets and from their siblings who did not work on the streets. DNA was extracted from the saliva samples and analyzed for 5-HTTLPR polymorphism genotypes. Results: One hundred and seventy-seven children between the ages of 7 and 14 years were analyzed (114 child workers and 63 siblings). Data on socioeconomic conditions, mental symptoms, and presence and severity of maltreatment and urban violence were collected using a sociodemographic inventory and clinical instruments. There was no positive correlation between the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and presence of mental symptoms in our sample, although the children were exposed to high levels of abuse, neglect, and urban violence. Conclusions: Despite previous studies that associated adult psychiatric disorders with the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and a history of childhood maltreatment, no such association was found in this sample of children at risk.

【 授权许可】

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