A Cross-Lagged Panel Analysis of Cortisol Levels and Internalizing Behaviors in Children Born Very Preterm Across Early Childhood: Associations Differ for Boys and Girls at Age 1.5 Years.

ABSTRACT: Children born very preterm (≤32 weeks' gestation) are exposed to considerable stress in the neonatal period that, in turn, is associated long-term with altered physiological stress reactivity and regulation, as well as increased internalizing (anxiety and depressive) behaviors. Whether cortisol levels are related to evolving internalizing behaviors in this population has not been evaluated to our knowledge. The present study investigated the association between cortisol reactivity to a cognitive assessment in a novel clinic environment and parent-reported internalizing behaviors both concurrently and across ages in children born very preterm and examined whether relationships differed by biological sex at birth. Total cortisol output (AUCg) and reactivity (AUCi) were calculated from saliva

SUBMITTER: McLean MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12278196 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature