Childhood neglect can have both immediate and long-term impacts on children's health, cognitive development, and social functioning. Neglect in early childhood can impair brain development and cause lifelong poor physical and mental health. It may also lead to intellectual deficits, poor academic performance, depression, and low self-esteem. As they grow older, neglected children are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors such as substance abuse, teen pregnancy, domestic violence, and criminal activities. They may repeat the neglectful behaviors with their own children.