Children in war-affected regions face not only significant mental health challenges but also potentially harmful biological changes at the DNA level, which may lead to lasting health consequences, according to an innovative study conducted by the University of Surrey.
Children living in war-torn countries often experience severe mental health issues, and recent research indicates that the impact of war may also lead to harmful alterations at the DNA level, potentially resulting in lifelong health complications, as revealed by a pioneering study from the University of Surrey.
The research team conducted the first study of its kind, collecting saliva samples from 1,507 Syrian refugee children, ages 6 to 19, who resided in informal settlements in Lebanon. They focused on analyzing DNA methylation (DNAm), an epigenetic mechanism that involves adding chemical markers to DNA at various points across the genome (the full set of genes). These DNAm modifications can activate or deactivate genes without altering the DNA sequence itself.
To assess the children’s exposure to war-related events, questionnaires were filled out by both the children and their caregivers.
In collaboration with partners including University College London, the Institute for Development, Research, Advocacy and Applied Care in Lebanon, St George’s University Lebanon, and a prominent international NGO, the researchers found that children exposed to war events displayed significant DNAm alterations at multiple locations in the genome. Some of these alterations were associated with genes responsible for essential processes such as neurotransmission (the communication between nerve cells) and intracellular transport (the movement of materials within cells).
Notably, these specific alterations do not appear to occur with other types of trauma, such as poverty or bullying, indicating that war may provoke distinct biological reactions in the body.
This research was supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Professor Michael Pluess, the lead author from the School of Psychology at the University of Surrey, stated:
“While it is widely recognized that war negatively affects children’s mental health, our study provides insights into the biological mechanisms driving this impact. We also found that war is connected to slower epigenetic aging, implying that war may influence children’s development.”
“Overall, our study offers a more comprehensive understanding of the devastating consequences of war, extending beyond mental strain, for the millions of children caught in such conflicts.”
This publication is part of the BIOPATH study, a cohort study initiated in 2017. BIOPATH represents the first extensive investigation of its kind focused on refugee children, paving the way for a better understanding of how trauma affects mental health development.
The researchers also examined the differences in biological responses to war between boys and girls. They discovered that girls exposed to war events exhibited more pronounced DNAm changes than boys, especially in genes related to stress response and brain growth. Both genders were impacted, but girls showed a heightened biological response to war exposure, suggesting they may face greater vulnerability to the long-term molecular effects of trauma.
DNA methylation is a natural process where tiny chemical groups known as methyl groups are added to specific areas of DNA. These groups function like switches, regulating whether genes are turned on or off and influencing the intensity of their expression, all without modifying the actual DNA sequence.
This process is essential for normal development and can be shaped by factors such as nutrition, stress, and experiences of trauma. Extreme events like warfare can induce changes in DNA methylation that might affect long-term physical and mental well-being. Researchers investigate these changes to better understand the lasting biological impacts of stressful experiences.
The findings from this study have been published in JAMA Psychiatry.
