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Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function and the cellular immune response in former preterm children

A Buske-Kirschbaum1, S Krieger, C Wilkes

  • 1Department of Biopsychology, Technical University of Dresden, D-01062 Dresden, Germany. buske@biopsych.tu-dresden.de

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|June 15, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Preterm birth may impact children's stress response and immune function. Former preterm children showed higher morning cortisol and a weaker immune response, suggesting long-term effects into childhood.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Adverse early life experiences can impact later endocrine and immune system functioning.
  • Preterm delivery is a significant early life event with potential long-term health consequences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of preterm delivery on the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning.
  • To assess heart rate responses and immune function in children born preterm compared to full-term controls.

Main Methods:

  • Recruited 18 former preterm children and 18 matched full-term controls (aged 8-14 years).
  • Assessed endocrine function via salivary cortisol measurements (stress response, morning levels, diurnal profile).
  • Measured immune function using a delayed type hypersensitivity skin test and heart rate response to a laboratory stressor (Trier Social Stress Test for Children).

Main Results:

  • While both groups showed increased cortisol and heart rate during the stress test, no significant differences were found between groups in acute stress response or diurnal cortisol patterns.
  • Former preterm children exhibited significantly higher cortisol levels upon awakening.
  • A significantly suppressed delayed type hypersensitivity response was observed in former preterm children.

Conclusions:

  • Preterm delivery is associated with alterations in endocrine function, specifically elevated morning cortisol levels.
  • Children born preterm may have impaired immune function, indicated by a reduced delayed type hypersensitivity response.
  • These findings suggest that preterm birth can lead to lasting changes in endocrine and immune system regulation extending into childhood.
Abstract

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