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LC-MS/MS-based reference intervals for hair cortisol in healthy children
Ineke de Kruijff1, Gerard Noppe2, Noera Kieviet3
1Department of Pediatrics, St Antonius Hospital Nieuwegein, the Netherlands.
Psychoneuroendocrinology
|December 17, 2019
Summary
This study establishes pediatric reference intervals for hair cortisol, revealing high levels at birth that decrease significantly in infants. These findings are crucial for understanding stress biomarkers in children.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pediatrics
- Biomarker Research
Background:
- Human scalp hair is a valuable matrix for long-term cortisol measurement.
- Pediatric reference intervals for hair cortisol are currently lacking.
- Cortisol levels are important indicators in clinical care and research.
Purpose of the Study:
- Establish age-adjusted reference intervals for hair cortisol in children (0-18 years).
- Investigate hair growth velocity in children up to 2 years old.
- Provide crucial data for pediatric clinical applications.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 625 healthy children.
- Hair cortisol measurement using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
- Determination of hair growth velocity by measuring hair length at intervals.
Main Results:
- Hair cortisol levels are highest at birth, sharply declining in the first 3 months.
- Lower hair cortisol levels observed until age 6, gradually increasing to adult levels by age 18.
- Significantly lower hair growth velocity in infants (0-6 months) compared to older children (12-24 months).
Conclusions:
- First study to provide age-adjusted pediatric hair cortisol reference intervals (0-18 years).
- Infant hair cortisol levels may be influenced by lower hair growth rates.
- Established reference ranges enhance the utility of hair cortisol as a biomarker in pediatric care.
