Interplay Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Systematic Review of Recent Evidence.

Background: The issue of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) has received critical attention in understanding the complexity of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Despite growing empirical support demonstrating the role of ACEs in neurodevelopment, there is little research on their distinct role in the onset, severity, and progression of NDDs, specifically attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and cognitive impairments.

Summary: The goal of this systematic review is to critically summarise the existing research on the relationship between ACEs and NDDs, assess current knowledge about their interdependency, identify the gaps in the literature, and suggest future direction and clinical application. Based on the PECO and PRISMA frameworks, we have systematically searched four electronic databases-ScienceDirect, Web of Science, EBSCO, and PubMed. Thirty-two studies that meet the inclusion criteria are further evaluated for quality using the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument (MERSQI) and Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) parameters. Most studies fall in the moderate-to-high quality range. The review critically evaluates the interplay between ACEs and three types of specific NDDs-ADHD, ASD, and cognitive impairments. The findings provide strong empirical confirmation of the consistent bidirectional, cyclical, and dose-response association between the ACEs and NDDs.

Key message: Shedding a contemporary light on recent evidence, this study focuses on important gaps in the existing literature pertaining to the association of ACEs and NDDs across the developmental trajectory of the individual. There are several promising areas for further study involving high-quality research (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods) to investigate the dynamic and complex interplay between ACEs and NDDs and to design appropriate interventions.