title: Stress response and child health.
abstract: Stress is defined as a state of real or perceived threat to homeostasis. The principal effectors of the stress system are corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), arginine                      vasopressin, the proopiomelanocortin-derived peptides α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and β-endorphin, the glucocorticoids, and the catecholamines                      norepinephrine and epinephrine. Appropriate responsiveness of the stress system to stressors is a crucial prerequisite for a sense of well-being, adequate performance of tasks, and                      positive social interactions. By contrast, inappropriate responsiveness of the stress system may impair growth and development and may account for various endocrine, metabolic,                      autoimmune, and psychiatric disorders. The development and severity of these conditions primarily depend on the genetic vulnerability of the individual, the exposure to adverse                      environmental factors, and the timing of stressful event(s). Prenatal life, infancy, childhood, and adolescence are critical periods characterized by increased vulnerability to                      stressors. This review summarizes the topics presented at the fifth New Inroads to Child Health (NICHe) Conference "Stress Response and Child Health" held at                      Heraklion, Crete, Greece, in May 2012.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens Medical School, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Athens, Greece. evangelia.charmandari@googlemail.com
authors.forename: Evangelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Charmandari
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Achermann
authors.forename: Jean-Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Carel
authors.forename: Olle
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Soder
authors.forename: George P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Chrousos
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003226:Congresses as Topic; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D013312:Stress, Physiological
chemical_list: D006728:Hormones