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Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Toddlers - Resting and Developmental Challenges
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Hair Cortisol in Young Children with Autism and Their Parents: Associations with Child Mental Health, Eating Behavior

Anna van der Lubbe1,2,3, Hanna Swaab4,5,6, Erica van den Akker7

  • 1Sarr Autism Rotterdam, Youz Child- and Adolescent Psychiatry, Parnassia Group, Dynamostraat 18, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. a.vanderlubbe@youz.nl.

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|January 22, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Children with autism show higher hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) than peers, indicating altered stress regulation. Parental stress impacts children's behavior and eating habits, highlighting the need for family-centered interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents unique challenges for families, impacting both children and parents.
  • Biological stress markers, such as hair cortisol concentrations (HCC), are understudied in families with autism.
  • Understanding stress in these families is crucial for addressing children's mental and physical health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate biological stress (HCC) in children with autism and their parents.
  • To examine the associations between parental stress and child outcomes, including mental health, eating behavior, and BMI.
  • To explore differences in stress regulation in children with autism.

Main Methods:

  • Hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) and self-reported parenting stress (OBVL) were measured in 102 children with autism and their parents.
  • Child mental health was assessed using autism symptom scales (ADOS-2, SRS-2) and problem behavior checklists (CBCL).
  • Child eating behavior (CEBQ) and BMIz were also measured.

Main Results:

  • Children with autism exhibited higher HCC compared to controls, suggesting distinct stress-regulation patterns.
  • Child HCC did not correlate with mental health, eating behavior, or BMIz.
  • Maternal stress (self-reported and HCC) linked to child problem behavior; paternal stress linked to autism symptoms and behavior problems.
  • Parental self-reported stress associated with child emotional undereating and overeating.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated HCC in children with autism suggests atypical stress-regulation mechanisms.
  • Parental stress significantly influences children's mental health and eating behaviors.
  • Monitoring HCC and considering family dynamics are vital for interventions and research in autism.

Keywords:
AutismBMIBehavior problemsEating behaviorMental healthObesityScalp hair cortisolStress

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