Caregiver Adverse Childhood Experiences and Pediatric Infection-Related Outcomes.

This article investigates the association between caregiver adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and infectious outcomes, specifically antibiotic prescriptions and infection-related clinical encounters, in children aged 0-3 years at two pediatric primary care sites serving predominantly non-Hispanic Black, publicly insured populations. The study found that while a high total number of caregiver ACEs was not significantly linked to pediatric antibiotic use, specific caregiver experiences—namely witnessing parental physical abuse and experiencing sexual abuse during childhood—were associated with increased antibiotic prescribing and earlier infection-related visits in their children. These associations persisted after adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, and caregiver depression factors, suggesting potential biological or psychosocial mechanisms beyond current social risks. The findings highlight the need for further research into underlying pathways and support trauma-informed care approaches to potentially reduce infection-related morbidity in children.