Elevated Cortisol Levels in Hair: An Early Warning Sign for Chronic Illness in Children
Recent research suggests that high cortisol levels in hair can serve as a strong early warning sign for identifying children living with chronic illnesses, aiding in predicting the risks associated with their psychological challenges. These findings come from a study conducted on Canadian children with chronic physical illnesses, which highlighted the impact of these hormonal levels on children’s mental health.
The Link Between Chronic Illness and Psychological Issues
Statistics estimate that about 40% of children in Canada live with chronic illnesses. These children are at a higher risk of developing psychological issues compared to their healthy peers, increasing the risk of deteriorating quality of life, suicidal thoughts, and a greater reliance on healthcare services.
Living with a chronic illness involves daily challenges such as taking medication, missing school, and adjusting life activities, which imposes a significant emotional burden on children. Emma Littler, a public health researcher, explains that the study’s findings indicate that elevated chronic stress can be measured through hair samples, helping to identify children most at risk of developing psychological issues.
The Role of Cortisol in Predicting Psychological Problems
The study followed 244 Canadian children with chronic physical illnesses over four years, measuring stress levels using hair cortisol, a biological marker reflecting stress levels over time. The study found that more than two-thirds of these children consistently had high cortisol levels and were more likely to exhibit symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other psychological issues compared to their peers whose cortisol levels decreased over time.
When comparing these patterns with reports on emotional and behavioral difficulties, it was found that children whose cortisol levels decreased over time showed fewer symptoms of anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems compared to those whose cortisol levels remained high.
The Practical Importance of Identifying Risk Factors
Dr. Mark Ferro, a professor at the School of Public Health Sciences, emphasizes that identifying these risk factors early can help doctors and families intervene before emotional and behavioral difficulties worsen. Hair cortisol is a non-invasive, easy-to-collect biological marker that could one day be used to screen children and monitor the effectiveness of treatments or support programs in reducing stress.
The study, titled “The Relationship Between Hair Cortisol and Psychological Disorders in Children with Chronic Physical Illnesses,” was published in the journal “Stress and Health.” Ferro and his colleagues have also published new research suggesting that biological markers found in the blood of children with chronic physical illnesses may help predict future psychological challenges.
Conclusion
This study opens new avenues in the field of mental health for children with chronic illnesses, where hair cortisol can be used as a non-invasive tool to assess stress levels and identify children most at risk for psychological challenges. By deepening the understanding of the links between stress and psychological disorders, more effective preventive and therapeutic strategies can be developed to support children’s health and well-being. This work represents an important step towards achieving more comprehensive and preventive healthcare for children with chronic illnesses.