Campos-Sánchez Irene, Navarrete-Muñoz Eva María, Barber-Valles Josep Xavier, Martens Dries S, Riaño-Galán Isolina, Irizar Amaia, Llop Sabrina, Guxens Mónica, Rodríguez-Dehli Cristina, Babarro Izaro, Lozano Manuel, Vrijheid Martine, Nawrot Tim, Valera-Gran Desirée
InTeO Research Group, Miguel Hernandez University, 03550 San Juan de Alicante, Spain.
Institute for Health and Biomedical Research of Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain.
Children (Basel). 2025 Jul 2;12(7):875. doi: 10.3390/children12070875.
: This study aimed to examine the association between leukocyte telomere length (TL) measured at ages 4 and 8 and emotional and behavioral problems at age 8. We also explored whether changes in leukocyte TL between ages 4 and 8 were associated with outcomes. : Data were obtained from a population-based birth cohort and included 647 children with TL at age 4 and emotional and behavioral assessments at age 8, 673 with TL and outcomes at age 8, and 315 with TL measured at both ages. TL was determined using quantitative PCR on blood samples and converted into z-scores for analysis. Emotional and behavioral problems-including internalizing, externalizing, and total difficulties-were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Regression models were conducted using zero-inflated and negative binomial, adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle covariates. : No statistically significant associations were observed between leukocyte TL at ages 4 or 8, or TL changes over this period, and emotional and behavioral outcomes at age 8. : Although no significant associations were found, further longitudinal research is warranted to clarify the role of TL as a potential psychobiomarker of emotional and behavioral disorders in childhood.
本研究旨在探讨4岁和8岁时测量的白细胞端粒长度（TL）与8岁时的情绪和行为问题之间的关联。我们还探讨了4岁至8岁期间白细胞TL的变化是否与结果相关。：数据来自一个基于人群的出生队列，包括647名4岁时测量了TL且8岁时进行了情绪和行为评估的儿童、673名8岁时测量了TL并评估了结果的儿童，以及315名在两个年龄都测量了TL的儿童。使用定量PCR对血样进行检测以确定TL，并将其转换为z分数进行分析。使用优势与困难问卷评估情绪和行为问题，包括内化问题、外化问题和总体困难。采用零膨胀负二项回归模型，并对社会人口统计学和生活方式协变量进行了调整。：在4岁或8岁时的白细胞TL、或此期间TL的变化与8岁时的情绪和行为结果之间未观察到统计学上的显著关联。：尽管未发现显著关联，但仍有必要进行进一步的纵向研究，以阐明TL作为儿童情绪和行为障碍潜在心理生物标志物的作用。
