Strategies for salivary cortisol collection and analysis in research with children.
Salivary cortisol has emerged in pediatric research as an easy-to-collect, relatively inexpensive, biologic marker of stress. Cortisol is highly variable and is responsive to a wide range of factors that should be considered when incorporating this measure into research with children. Strategies for sample collection include: (1) standardizing the time for sample collection, including baseline samples; (2) using consistent collection materials and methods; (3) controlling for certain drinks, foods, medications, and diagnoses; and (4) establishing procedures and protocols. Other strategies for laboratory analyses include: (1) selecting the appropriate assay and laboratory; (2) identifying units of measure and norms; and (3) establishing quality controls. These strategies control extraneous variables and produce reliable and valid salivary cortisol results.
Hanrahan
Kirsten
K
College of Nursing, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. kirsten-hanrahan@uiowa.edu
McCarthy
Ann Marie
AM
Kleiber
Charmaine
C
Lutgendorf
Susan
S
Tsalikian
Eva
E
D015982:Bias; D002648:Child; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D018579:Patient Selection; D010371:Pediatric Nursing; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
D006854:Hydrocortisone