paediatrics

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Score

Retrospective questionnaire assessing 10 categories of adverse childhood experiences. Higher ACE scores correlate with increased risk of physical and mental health conditions in adulthood. Used in paediatric, family medicine, and public health settings.

Physical abuse -- adult in household pushed, grabbed, slapped, or threw something at parent OR hit so hard it left marks*

Emotional abuse -- adult swore at, insulted, or put down parent or made parent afraid of being hurt*

Sexual abuse -- adult touched or fondled in a sexual way, or touched adult in a sexual way without consent*

Emotional neglect -- did not feel loved, important, or special; family did not look out for each other*

Physical neglect -- not enough to eat, wore dirty clothes, not taken to doctor; family did not take care of each other*

Parental separation or divorce*

Domestic violence -- mother or stepmother pushed, grabbed, slapped, or had something thrown at her, OR kicked, bitten, hit with a fist, or threatened with weapon*

Household substance misuse -- lived with someone who drank too much or used street drugs*

Household mental illness -- lived with someone who was depressed, mentally ill, or attempted suicide*

Incarcerated household member -- lived with someone who went to prison*

References

Felitti VJ et al. Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults. Am J Prev Med. 1998;14(4):245-258.
Public Health Wales. Adverse Childhood Experiences and their impact on health-harming behaviours in the Welsh adult population. 2015.

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Drugs

Pathways

Decision support only — verify against MDCalc, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.

References

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