title: Salivary cortisol levels are elevated in the afternoon and at bedtime in children with prenatal alcohol exposure.
abstract: Prenatal alcohol exposure can cause dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which may underlie some of the behavioral and adaptive problems seen in individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Infants prenatally exposed to alcohol show altered basal and post-stress cortisol levels, but it is unknown if this persists beyond 2 years of age. It is also unknown if cortisol levels can be normalized through intervention programs. In this study, we investigated the effects of a physical activity program for children with FASD to determine: 1) if HPA dysregulation persists in school-age children with FASD, and 2) the effect of our program on cortisol levels. Twenty six children (ages 6-14 years) with FASD participated in an 8 week motor skill development program. Salivary cortisol levels were measured in 24 children and compared at 4 time points: before, immediately after, 3 months, and 1 year after program completion. Cortisol levels were also compared to 32 control children to evaluate the long-term effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on HPA regulation. For each time point, saliva was collected on each of 2 days at 3 times in the diurnal cycle: awakening, after school, and just before bedtime. Cortisol levels were significantly higher in the afternoon and at bedtime in children with FASD with confirmed prenatal exposure to high levels of alcohol (alcohol exposure rank 4), compared with Control children or children with FASD with exposure to low or unknown levels of alcohol (alcohol exposure rank 3). The program did not significantly affect cortisol levels in children with FASD as a group. These results provide support for long-term effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on the HPA system in humans, which could increase vulnerability to mental health issues and diseases later in life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of the Fraser Valley, 33844 King Road, Abbotsford, British Columbia V2S 7M8, Canada. Electronic address: kathy.keiver@ufv.ca.
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Keiver
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of the Fraser Valley, 33844 King Road, Abbotsford, British Columbia V2S 7M8, Canada.
authors.forename: Chris P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Bertram
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of the Fraser Valley, 33844 King Road, Abbotsford, British Columbia V2S 7M8, Canada.
authors.forename: Alison Pritchard
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Orr
authors.affiliation: Centre for Community Child Health Research, Canada Northwest FASD Research Network, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Sterling
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Clarren
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Cortisol; Exercise; Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder; HPA axis; Physical activity; Prenatal alcohol exposure