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Pre-schoolers suffering from psychiatric disorders show increased cortisol secretion and poor sleep compared to
Martin Hatzinger1, Serge Brand, Sonja Perren
1Psychiatric Services Solothurn, Department of Adult Psychiatry, Solothurn, Switzerland. martin.hatzinger@spital.so.ch
Insights
Preschoolers with psychiatric disorders exhibit heightened cortisol levels and disrupted sleep, alongside impaired psychological functioning. These neuroendocrine and sleep disturbances indicate a higher risk for future mental health challenges.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychiatry
- Neuroendocrinology
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Studies link poor sleep and HPA axis function to psychological issues in children.
- Limited evidence exists on these associations in preschool children with psychiatric disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cortisol secretion, sleep patterns, and psychological functioning in preschool children with psychiatric disorders compared to healthy controls.
- To determine if neuroendocrine and sleep alterations are present in this population.
Main Methods:
- Assessed saliva cortisol secretion (baseline and challenge) in 30 preschoolers with psychiatric disorders and 35 controls.
- Utilized digital movement-measuring instruments for 7-day sleep activity monitoring.
- Employed parent/teacher questionnaires and the Berkeley Puppet Interview for cognitive, emotional, and social functioning assessment.
Main Results:
- Children with psychiatric disorders showed significantly higher cortisol levels and more disturbed sleep than controls.
- Parents and teachers reported greater cognitive, emotional, and behavioral impairments in children with disorders.
- Children with psychiatric disorders reported increased experiences of bullying and victimization.
Conclusions:
- Psychiatric disorders in 5-year-olds manifest at psychological, social, behavioral, neuroendocrine, and sleep levels.
- These children are likely at increased risk for persistent psychiatric difficulties.
- Findings highlight the interconnectedness of mental health, sleep, and stress response systems in early childhood.
Background:
Various studies of child cortisol secretion and sleep show a close association between poor sleep, deterioration of the HPA axis and unfavorable psychological functioning. However, there is little evidence as to whether these associations are clearly present in pre-school children suffering from psychiatric disorders.
Method:
A total of 30 pre-schoolers suffering from psychiatric disorders (anxiety, adjustment disorders, emotional and attachment disorder; hyperactivity or oppositional disorder) and 35 healthy controls took part in the study. Saliva cortisol secretion was assessed both at baseline and under challenge conditions. Sleep was assessed via activity monitoring for seven consecutive days and nights, using a digital movement-measuring instrument. Parents and teachers completed questionnaires assessing children's cognitive, emotional and social functioning. The Berkeley Puppet Interview provided child-based reports of cognitive-emotional processes.
Results:
Compared to healthy controls, children suffering from psychiatric disorders had much higher cortisol secretion both at baseline and under challenge conditions. Sleep was also more disturbed, and parents and teachers rated children suffering from psychiatric disorders as cognitively, emotionally and behaviorally more impaired, relative to healthy controls. Children with psychiatric disorders reported being more bullied and victimized.
Conclusions:
In five-year old children the presence of psychiatric disorders is reflected not only at psychological, social and behavioral, but also at neuroendocrine and sleep-related levels. It is likely that these children remain at increased risk for suffering from psychiatric difficulties later in life.
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