The longitudinal association of the diurnal cortisol rhythm with internalizing and externalizing problems in pre-schoolers. The Generation R Study

PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY

卷:50

Article

Saridjan, Nathalie S.^1,2  Velders, Fleur P.^1,2  Jaddoe, Vincent W. V.^1,3,4  Hofman, Albert³  Verhulst, Frank C.²  Tiemeier, Henning^2,3 

[1] Erasmus MC Univ Med Ctr, Generat Study Grp R, Rotterdam, Netherlands

[2] Erasmus MC Sophia Childrens Hosp, Dept Child & Adolescent Psychiat, Rotterdam, Netherlands

[3] Erasmus MC Univ Med Ctr, Dept Epidemiol, Rotterdam, Netherlands

[4] Erasmus MC Sophia Childrens Hosp, Dept Pediat, Rotterdam, Netherlands

关键词: Cohort;    Cortisol;    Diurnal rhythm;    HPA axis;    Infants;    Longitudinal;    Problem behaviour;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.08.008

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Background: Studies investigating the association between diurnal cortisol rhythm and behavioural problems in young children have yielded inconsistent results. We tested the hypothesis that variations in diurnal cortisol rhythm in pre-schoolers are already related to problem behaviour early in life with a cross-sectional and longitudinal design. Methods: This study was embedded in Generation R, a population-based cohort from foetal life onwards. Parents collected saliva samples from their infant at 5 moments during 1 day. In 322 infants aged 12-20 months, we determined the diurnal cortisol rhythm by calculating the area under the curve (AUC), the cortisol awakening response (CAR), and the diurnal slope. Problem behaviour was assessed at ages 1.5 and 3 years with the Child Behavior Checklist/1.5-5 years. Results: No cross-sectional associations between the cortisol composite measures and problem behaviour were found at 1.5 years. However, cortisol predicted change in internalizing problems as assessed from 1.5 to 3 years, but not change in externalizing problems. Children with higher AUC levels, flatter slopes and a more positive CAR at baseline were more likely to score higher on the Internalizing Problems scale (beta per nmol/L AUC: 0.08, 95% CI: 0.00; 0.17, p=0.04; beta per nmol/L/h slope: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.17; 0.98, p=0.006; beta per nmol/L CAR: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.01; 0.08, p = 0.02) at follow-up. Conclusions: Variations in diurnal cortisol rhythm are associated with change in internalizing problems in pre-schoolers. The results suggest that variations in diurnal cortisol patterns early in life precede internalizing problems. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

【 授权许可】

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