Dexamethasone suppression test and depressive symptoms in bereaved children: a preliminary report

Eighteen bereaved children and adolescents were assessed using the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) and the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents 4 weeks following parental death. Thirty-nine percent had a positive (nonsuppressed) DST. DST-positive subjects reported more DSM-III-R depressive symptoms (6.3 +/- 2.9 vs. 3.9 +/- 2.7, means +/- SD) than DST-negative subjects. Most frequently reported symptoms included dysphoria, loss of interest, sleep disturbance, appetite disturbance, psychomotor disturbance, and morbid and suicidal ideation. Post-dexamethasone cortisol levels were significantly correlated with the total number of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation.