Even if a new mom had a rough childhood, her white blood cells don’t show more signs of broken DNA than other moms, based on two sensitive lab tests.
Scientific Claim
In postpartum women, childhood maltreatment load is not associated with cellular markers of nuclear DNA strand breaks, including tail intensity and tail moment from the comet assay or γH2AX foci formation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
Original Statement
“In study cohort I, the analyses revealed no significant main effects of maltreatment load on tail intensity (b = −0.0011, p = 0.95) and tail moment (b = −0.0035, p = 0.83). These results were confirmed by γH2AX fluorescence staining, with no significant main effects of maltreatment load on γH2AX foci/cell (b = 0.0065, p = 0.68) and the percentage of cells with γH2AX foci (b = −0.0004, p = 0.97).”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The claim accurately reports non-significant associations with precise p-values and biomarkers. No causal language is used, and the population and methods are clearly specified.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
The Association of Childhood Maltreatment With Lipid Peroxidation and DNA Damage in Postpartum Women