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Behaviour problems and cortisol levels in very-low-birth-weight children
Marie Wadsby1, Nina Nelson, Fredrik Ingemansson
1Marie Wadsby, Associate Professor, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University , Sweden.
Nordic Journal of Psychiatry
|May 8, 2014
Summary
Children born with very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) show more behavioral issues and lower cortisol levels than normal-birth-weight (NBW) peers. These differences persist into childhood, suggesting potential hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis alterations.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
Background:
- Children born with very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) exhibit varied developmental outcomes.
- Previous research suggests potential differences in stress hormone levels between VLBW and normal-birth-weight (NBW) children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare behavioral problems and cortisol levels in VLBW and NBW children at ages 7 and 9.
- To investigate the relationship between behavior and cortisol in these groups.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Child Behavior Checklist for behavioral assessment.
- Measured cortisol rhythm via saliva samples across multiple time points over two days.
Main Results:
- VLBW children demonstrated more behavioral problems, particularly social and attention issues, though within normal ranges.
- VLBW children exhibited lower cortisol levels at both 7 and 9 years of age.
- No significant association was found between behavioral patterns and cortisol levels.
Conclusions:
- VLBW children show a higher prevalence of behavioral problems compared to NBW children, with both groups scoring within normative limits.
- VLBW children exhibit a down-regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function, indicated by lower cortisol levels.
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