{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,19]],"date-time":"2026-04-19T06:13:30Z","timestamp":1776579210437,"version":"3.51.2"},"reference-count":112,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"6","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,18]],"date-time":"2025-06-18T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1750204800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Children"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background\/Objectives: Child abuse is a pervasive global issue with significant implications for the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of victims. This review highlights the clinical, molecular, and therapeutic dimensions of child abuse, emphasizing its long-term impact and the need for interdisciplinary approaches. Early exposure to abuse activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, leading to chronic cortisol release and subsequent neuroplastic changes in brain regions such as the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex. These molecular alterations, including epigenetic modifications and inflammatory responses, contribute to the heightened risk of psychiatric disorders and chronic illnesses in survivors. Clinically, child abuse presents with diverse manifestations ranging from physical injuries to psychological and developmental disorders, making timely diagnosis challenging. Methods: A multidisciplinary approach involving thorough clinical evaluation, detailed histories, and collaboration with child protection services is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective intervention. Results: Recent advances in molecular biology have identified biomarkers, such as stress-related hormones and epigenetic changes, which provide novel insights into the physiological impact of abuse and potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Current treatment strategies prioritize the child\u2019s safety, psychological well-being, and prevention of further abuse. Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and family-centered interventions are pivotal in promoting recovery and resilience. Conclusions: Emerging research focuses on integrating molecular findings with clinical practice, utilizing digital health tools, and leveraging big data to develop predictive models and personalized treatments. Interdisciplinary collaboration remains crucial to translating research into policy and practice, ultimately aiming to mitigate the impact of child abuse and improve outcomes for survivors.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/children12060797","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,18]],"date-time":"2025-06-18T07:38:15Z","timestamp":1750232295000},"page":"797","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["The Many Faces of Child Abuse: How Clinical, Genetic and Epigenetic Correlates Help Us See the Full Picture"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"12","author":[{"given":"Enrico","family":"Parano","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), Italian National Research Council (CNR), 95123 Catania \u00a0(CT), Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5664-8066","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Vito","family":"Pavone","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Section of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties, University Hospital Policlinico \u201cRodolico-San Marco\u201d, University of Catania, 95123 Catania \u00a0(CT), Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Martino","family":"Ruggieri","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Unit of Clinical Pediatrics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, AOU Policlinico \u201cG. Rodolico-San Marco\u201d, University of Catania, 95123 Catania \u00a0(CT), Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Iside","family":"Castagnola","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Co.Re.Com, Regional Committe for Communication, 00193 Rome (RM), Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Giuseppe","family":"Ettore","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Azienda di Rilievo Nazionale e di Alta Specializzazione (ARNAS) Garibaldi Nesima, 95124 Catania \u00a0(CT), Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Gaia","family":"Fusto","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences (BIOMETEC), University of Catania, 95124 Catania \u00a0(CT), Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Roberta","family":"Rizzo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences (BIOMETEC), University of Catania, 95124 Catania \u00a0(CT), Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5600-9560","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Piero","family":"Pavone","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), Italian National Research Council (CNR), 95123 Catania \u00a0(CT), Italy"},{"name":"Unit of Clinical Pediatrics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, AOU Policlinico \u201cG. Rodolico-San Marco\u201d, University of Catania, 95123 Catania \u00a0(CT), Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,18]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Shackelford, T.K. (2023). Child Maltreatment: Intervention Strategies. Encyclopedia of Domestic Violence, Springer International Publishing.","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-030-85493-5"},{"key":"ref_2","first-page":"29","article-title":"Examining the Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Involvement in the Justice System","volume":"283","author":"Wyrick","year":"2021","journal-title":"Natl. Inst. Justice J."},{"key":"ref_3","unstructured":"Overview of Child Maltreatment\u2014Pediatrics (2021, May 27). Merck Manuals Professional Edition. 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