title: Paradoxical diurnal cortisol changes in neonates suggesting preservation of foetal adrenal rhythms.
abstract: Studies suggested the presence of foetal adrenal rhythms of cortisol, which are entrained in antiphase to maternal rhythms. In contrast, neonates are thought to have no adrenal rhythm until 2-3 months after birth. To test the hypothesis that a foetal-type adrenal rhythm is preserved after birth, saliva samples were collected from 65 preterm/term infants during hospital stay (30-40 weeks corrected age) at 10:00 and 19:00 h. Cortisol levels were assessed for their diurnal difference and dependence on antenatal/postnatal clinical variables. Cortisol levels were lower during periods 15-28 days and >28 days than ≤5 days of life. Lower cortisol was associated with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), gestational age <28 weeks, and mechanical ventilation after birth. Higher cortisol was associated with vaginal delivery and non-invasive ventilation support at saliva collection. PIH and non-invasive mechanical ventilation at saliva collection were associated with cortisol levels even after adjustment for postnatal age. Cortisol levels were higher in the evening than in the morning, which was unassociated with gestational and postnatal age. Higher cortisol levels in the evening suggest the preservation of a foetal-type diurnal rhythm. Cortisol levels are associated with intrinsic and extrinsic variables, such as PIH, delivery mode, gestational age, and respiratory conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kinoshita
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan.|Centre for Developmental and Cognitive Neuroscience, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Sachiko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iwata
authors.affiliation: Centre for Developmental and Cognitive Neuroscience, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Hisayoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Okamura
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Mamoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saikusa
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hara
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Chihoko
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Urata
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Informatics, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Araki
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan.|Centre for Developmental and Cognitive Neuroscience, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Osuke
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Iwata
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000502:physiology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone