Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal reactivity in prepubertal children with social phobia.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to investigate whether a different pattern of HPA axis activity is found between children with social phobia (SP) and healthy control children.


METHODS
A total of 50 prepubertal subjects (25 children with SP and 25 healthy control subjects) were studied. The effects of stress were studied by comparing cortisol responses to a psychosocial stressor, consisting of a public speaking task.


RESULTS
Children with SP showed an elevated cortisol response to the psychosocial stressor as compared with healthy controls. Trait but not state anxiety levels are associated with higher HPA axis activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Limited sample size.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that a higher cortisol responsivity to stress may be a neurobiological marker for prepubertal children with SP. Directions for future research and clinical implications are discussed.
van West
Dirk
D
University Center of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Antwerp (UCKJA), ZNA Middelheim, University of Antwerp, Lindendreef 1, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium. dirk.vanwest@zna.be
Claes
Stephan
S
Sulon
José
J
Deboutte
Dirk
D
D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D035061:Control Groups; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000502:physiology*; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000502:physiology*; D011594:Psychometrics; D011627:Puberty / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis
D006854:Hydrocortisone