Preterm birth and infant diurnal cortisol regulation
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 30, 2025
Human Circadian Phenotyping and Diurnal Performance Testing in the Real World
Published on: April 7, 2020
David Q Stoye1, James P Boardman1,2, Clive Osmond3
1MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Insights
Infants born extremely preterm show altered diurnal cortisol patterns, with a flattened slope across infancy. This hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis adaptation may link preterm birth to later health issues.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Early life exposures, such as preterm birth, can influence long-term health via hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis adaptation.
- Understanding diurnal cortisol regulation in preterm infants is crucial for identifying potential health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between preterm birth and the adaptation of diurnal cortisol regulation throughout infancy.
- To compare cortisol regulation patterns in extremely preterm, very preterm, and term-born infants.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of saliva cortisol data collected monthly (morning, midday, evening) from infants in a Swedish birth cohort.
- Random coefficients regression models were used to compare diurnal cortisol slopes across infancy for different preterm birth groups (extremely preterm, very preterm, term).
Main Results:
- Infants born extremely preterm exhibited a significantly flattened diurnal cortisol slope across infancy compared to term-born infants (-17.2%).
- Infants born very preterm did not show a significant difference in their diurnal cortisol slope compared to term-born infants (1.7%).
Conclusions:
- Extremely preterm birth is associated with a blunted diurnal cortisol rhythm during infancy.
- This altered cortisol regulation pattern may contribute to the metabolic and neurodevelopmental challenges observed in extremely preterm infants.
Background:
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis adaptation is a potential mechanism linking early life exposures with later adverse health. This study tested the hypothesis that preterm birth is associated with adaptation of diurnal cortisol regulation across infancy.
Methods:
A secondary analysis was conducted of saliva cortisol measured morning, midday and evening, monthly, across infancy, as part of a birth cohort conducted in Linköping, Sweden. Diurnal cortisol regulation of infants born extremely preterm (n=24), very preterm (n=27) and at term (n=130) were compared across infancy through random coefficients regression models.
Results:
Compared with infants born at term, infants born extremely preterm (-17.2%, 95% CI: -30.7 to -1.2), but not very preterm (1.7%, 95% CI: -14.1 to 20.4), had a flattened diurnal slope across infancy.
Conclusions:
Extremely preterm birth is associated with a flattened diurnal slope in infancy. This pattern of cortisol regulation could contribute to adverse metabolic and neurodevelopmental phenotypes observed in this population.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:30Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Primary Temperament Types
01:20Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
01:15Chronopharmacokinetics: Circadian Rhythms and Influence on Drug Response
The time of drug administration is an important factor to consider, as it can influence the toxic dose of a drug. For example, a study conducted by Prins et al. in 1997 examined the effects of the timing of...
01:27Major Hormones and Their Functions
Oxytocin, produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland, plays a role in social bonding, childbirth, and...