SALIVARY CORTISOL IN CHILDREN - CORRELATIONS WITH SERUM VALUES AND EFFECT OF PSYCHOTROPIC-DRUG ADMINISTRATION

This study compares the paired serum and salivary cortisol levels of 60 children and adolescents, obtained while performing a routine Dexamethasone Suppression Test. The results reveal significant correlations between serum and salivary cortisol levels in both drug-free (r = 0.90, p < .001) and medicated patients (r = 0.81, p < .0001). Multiple regression analysis suggests that, while the slopes of the two regression curves are parallel (0.15 < p < 0.20), the intercepts are significantly different (p < 0.05). This study supports the use of salivary measures of cortisol for children and adolescents. The authors suggest care in the use these measures while the patient is taking psychotropic medication.