Neurobiological consequences of child sexual abuse: literature review

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the neurobiological consequences in children and adolescents with a history of child sexual abuse (CSA). Methodology: A literature review was carried out between the years 2015 and 2020 in three databases (Pubmed, Scopus, Scielo), using the keywords: child sexual abuse, neurobiology Information was collected about the types of neurobiological alterations (structural, functional, endocrine, psychological, immunological and genetic) in children and adolescents with a history of CSA. Articles whose title or abstract did not include the topics of this review were excluded. Results: 99 studies associated with the neurobiological consequences of CSA were selected, with the consequent structural, functional, endocrine, immunological and genetic alterations that affect a significant number of victims. Conclusions: Various authors have found a relationship between exposure to CSA and neurobiological changes, thus making visible the impact that this causes on the health of the victims, therefore, it is important to promote early interventions and adequate treatment due to the multiple consequences that generates, some irreversible.