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Cortisol circadian rhythms and stress responses in infants at risk of allergic disease

Thomas M Ball1, Dayna Anderson, Jacqueline Minto

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson, AZ 85724-5073, USA. tball@u.arizona.edu

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|February 8, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Infants at risk for allergic disease show altered cortisol rhythms and stress responses. These early changes in cortisol may influence the development of allergic immune responses.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Immunology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Cortisol circadian rhythm and stress response are altered in individuals with allergic diseases.
  • It remains unclear if these cortisol alterations precede or follow allergic disease onset.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate cortisol circadian rhythm and stress response in infants at high risk for developing allergic disease.

Main Methods:

  • Salivary cortisol was measured in 6-month-old infants at multiple time points (home and clinic).
  • Infants were assessed based on risk factors for allergic disease, including parental allergy history and early life exposures.
  • Data were collected via parental questionnaires and salivary samples.

Main Results:

  • Flattened cortisol circadian rhythm (reduced diurnal variation) was observed in infants of mothers with allergy or asthma, or an asthmatic father.
  • Elevated cortisol stress response was noted in infants of mothers with allergy or asthma, with fewer siblings, and those not attending daycare early.
  • Specific risk factors were linked to distinct alterations in cortisol patterns.

Conclusions:

  • Predisposition to allergic disease in infants is associated with altered basal and stress cortisol levels.
  • These early cortisol alterations may impact the development of allergic immune responses.
  • Potential interactions between cortisol and inflammatory mediators are suggested.
Abstract

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