Diurnal Salivary Cortisol Concentration in School-aged Children: Increased Morning Cortisol Concentration and Total Cortisol Concentration Negatively Correlated to Body Mass Index in Children with Recurrent Abdominal Pain of Psychosomatic Origin

Author(s):  
C.-J. Törnhage ◽  
G. Αlfvén
Elements ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Samir

Studies of stress and cortisol levels in adults indicate that keeping normal levels of cortisol is beneficial to subjects. The hormone cortisol has many functions including proper glucose metabolism, regulation of blood pressure, immune function, and inflammatory  response. When cortisol levels spike, as with stress, there can be a negative effect on the individual. Due to the hectic pace of modern life, the body’s stress response does not always have time to return to normal, leading to cortisol levels remaining too high. This can lead to suppressed thyroid function, blood sugar imbalances, higher blood pressure, lowered immunity, and increased abdominal fat. Stress plays a prominent role in the lives of millions of people all across the globe. This problem is not one that affects solely the adult population but also a multitude of adolescents and children. Oftentimes, stress can have both a physical and psychological effect on an individual. Many persons report an effect on food consumption when under stressful situations, causing one to either eat more or less than normal. In turn, these eating patterns can potentially influence the Body Mass Index (BMI) of an individual. While increased stress can lead to a higher or lower than normal cortisol level and BMI in adults, the role in adolescents is not entirely clear. This study investigated whether there is a relationship between stress and BMI in high-achieving adolescents, aged 14 to 18. The Perceived Stress Scale survey paired with additional questions that helped determine variables believed to impact stress levels were administered to determine overall stress levels in each subject. To determine cortisol levels, a competitive enzyme immunoassay was used.  This study indicates that there   are no significant correlations between perceived stress levels, salivary cortisol levels, and BMI in this group of individuals. However, a distinct difference in self-assessed stress levels was apparent between males and females. Somewhat unexpectedly, a negative relationship was found between BMI and salivary cortisol levels and perceived stress and salivary cortisol levels.


Author(s):  
R. Mark Beattie ◽  
Anil Dhawan ◽  
John W.L. Puntis

Introduction 256Classification 257Personality type and family factors 259Common stresses in children with recurrent abdominal pain 259Therapeutic options 260Outcome 261Recommended clinical approach 261• Recurrent abdominal pain is common in school-aged children and is a frequent presenting complaint in general practice and general paediatric and paediatric gastroenterology clinics. Patients often have vague symptomatology and investigation usually results in a low yield of organic disease. Treatment strategies are varied and often subjective with very little evidence upon which to base them....


Author(s):  
Mark Tighe ◽  
Mark Beattie

Recurrent abdominal pain occurs in 10–15% of school-aged children and is a frequent presenting complaint in general practice and general paediatric and paediatric gastroenterology clinics. Patients often have vague symptoms and investigation usually results in a low yield of organic disease. Treatment strategies are varied and often subjective with limited evidence upon which to base them. This chapter includes a general overview, classification, discussion of the complex and multifactorial aetiology, therapeutic approach, and outcome. It discusses a recommended clinical approach for the management of complex cases.


Author(s):  
Sabrina Coelli ◽  
Camila Bergonsi Farias ◽  
Ariana Aguiar Soares ◽  
Gabriele Martins Crescente ◽  
Vânia Naomi Hirakata ◽  
...  

AbstractBackground:Late-night salivary cortisol (LNSC) is one of the most reliable tests to screen for endogenous Cushing syndrome. This test is simple, inexpensive and noninvasive and has high sensitivity and specificity. The aim of our study was to analyze the putative influence of age, gender and body mass index (BMI) on LNSC levels in a healthy population.Methods:Cross-sectional study conducted in healthy adults. Midnight saliva samples were collected at home. Participants refrained from teeth brushing, eating or drinking for 2 h prior to collection. Salivary cortisol measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA). The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the hospital (number 140073).Results:We evaluated 122 nonsmoking healthy volunteers. Mean age was 35±14 years (range, 18–74 years); 63% were women. Mean BMI was 24±3 kg/mConclusions:The maximum reference value (P97.5) of LNSC was set at 8.3 nmol/L (0.3 μg/dL) using ECLIA. Advanced age was associated with higher LNSC levels, with no evident influence of gender or BMI.


2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 303-9
Author(s):  
Restu Maharany Arumningtyas ◽  
Agung Triono ◽  
Retno Sutomo

Background Sleep disturbances can lead to many health problems in school-aged children, including hypertension and obesity. However, a lack of consensus about the etiology of these conditions is due to conflicting reports on the possible effects of sleep disturbances. Objective To assess for possible associations between sleep disturbances and blood pressure as well as body mass index in school-aged children. Methods This cross-sectional study involved primary school children in the 4th-5th grades. Subjects’ blood pressure, body weight, and body height were measured and their parents completed the Sleep Disturbances Scale for Children (SDSC) questionnaire. Results Of the 816 children enrolled, 503 (61.6%) children had sleep disturbances. The most common type of sleep disturbance was initiating and maintaining sleep. Bivariate analysis revealed a significantly increased risk of hypertension among subjects with sleep disturbances (PR 15.06; 95%CI 8.13 to 27.90) and increased risk of obesity (PR 22.65; 95%CI 12.28 to 41.78). Conclusion The most common type of sleep disturbance is initiating and maintaining sleep. Sleep disturbances are significantly associated with hypertension and obesity in children.


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