title: Approaches to salivary cortisol collection and analysis in infants.
abstract: Salivary cortisol is becoming more commonly utilized as a biologic marker of stress in observational studies and intervention research. However, its use with infants (12 months of age or younger) is less widespread and poses some special challenges to researchers. In order to decide on the most suitable collection procedure for salivary cortisol in infants, a number of criteria should be considered. This article will aid investigators interested in integrating salivary cortisol measurement into their research studies by presenting (1) an overview of the patterns of cortisol secretion in infancy including the development of diurnal rhythm and response to stress; (2) a comparison of the most commonly used approaches for collecting salivary cortisol samples in infants including cotton rope, syringe aspiration technique, filter paper, hydrocellulose microsponge, and the Salimetrics children's swab; (3) a discussion of the factors contributing to heightened cortisol variability in infancy and how these can be limited; (4) analytical issues associated with cortisol measurement; and (5) examples of criteria to consider when choosing a saliva sampling method and lab for conducting assays.
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Studies, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton NB, Canada penny.tryph@unb.ca.
authors.forename: Panagiota D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Tryphonopoulos
authors.affiliation: Norlien/ACHF Research Chair in Parent-Infant Mental Health, Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Letourneau
authors.affiliation: CIHR/RPP New Investigator, Psychobiology of Stress & Health Lab, Psychology Department, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada.
authors.forename: Rima
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Azar
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis*; D007223:Infant; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D013048:Specimen Handling
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: cortisol; infants; saliva collection; stress measurement