Women who experienced more abuse or neglect as children tend to have higher levels of a specific chemical in their blood that's linked to long-term inflammation, even after having a baby.
Scientific Claim
Higher childhood maltreatment load is associated with increased plasma levels of free 8-isoprostane in postpartum women, suggesting a potential link between early-life adversity and persistent lipid peroxidation, which may reflect chronic inflammatory signaling rather than general oxidative stress.
Original Statement
“The analyses of serum and plasma oxidative stress biomarkers assessed in study cohort II revealed a significant main effect of maltreatment load on free 8-isoprostane levels (b = 0.0277, p = 0.01), but not on total 8-isoprostane (b = 0.0187, p = 0.11) and 8-OH(d)G (b = 0.0155, p = 0.19) levels.”
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 study is observational and uses a nonparametric model to assess association, not causation. The language 'associated with' correctly reflects the design and avoids causal inference.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
The Association of Childhood Maltreatment With Lipid Peroxidation and DNA Damage in Postpartum Women
Women who experienced more childhood trauma had higher levels of a specific chemical in their blood that’s linked to inflammation, not just general body stress — suggesting their bodies might still be reacting to past trauma in a way that causes long-term inflammation.