Children with consistently elevated levels of inflammation face a significantly higher risk of developing serious mental health disorders, such as psychosis and depression, in early adulthood, according to a recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry. The study also indicates that early-life inflammation is associated with a higher likelihood of cardiometabolic conditions.
While there is a growing body of evidence linking inflammation to psychotic, depressive, and cardiometabolic disorders, little research has explored the specific trajectories of inflammation during childhood and their association with both mental and physical health outcomes in early adulthood.
The study analyzed data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), also known as Children of the 90s, which included 6,556 participants. Researchers tracked inflammation in the participants by measuring levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a general marker of inflammation, at ages 9, 15, and 17 years.
The study identified two groups with persistently elevated inflammation throughout their development. Notably, the group whose CRP levels peaked earlier in childhood, around age 9, was found to have the highest risk of developing depression and psychosis by age 24.
“When we look longitudinally, there is really strong evidence that inflammation earlier on in childhood is a significant risk factor for developing schizophrenia, depression and insulin resistance in later life. Some of the rates of developing these disorders within the group with inflammation who peaked around age 9 were four to five times the chances for those without inflammation,” said lead author, Edward Palmer.
The findings provide strong support for further research to determine whether inflammation plays a causal role in these disorders or if it serves as an early indicator.
With increased lifestyle habits of known causes of inflammation among children, such as increased sedentariness, screen time, and junk, processed food, it is of no question why there are increased mental health issues in teenagers and young adults. However, known healthy habits have been known to decrease inflammation including healthy eating, exercise and team sports, and healthy sleeping habits have also been known to decrease risk of future mental health problems.
E Palmer et al. Trajectories of Inflammation in Youth and Risk of Mental and Cardiometabolic Disorders in Adulthood. JAMA Psychiatry (2024). doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.2193
