PHILADELPHIA —  Screening for adverse childhood events, such as child abuse or household dysfunction, in adults within a primary care setting may identify who is likely to pass along the same adverse events to their children — especially mothers — according to a recent presentation at the annual meeting of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

This process is especially important because children who experience adverse childhood events (ACEs) have a difficult time with memory, emotion regulation, attention and building relationships because of impaired neurodevelopment. A direct correlation has also been noted with an increased chance of health-risk behaviors in adulthood that heighten the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), depression, obesity or smoking. Additionally, exposure to these events in childhood increases the risk for stroke, cancer, diabetes and other chronic conditions.