Salivary cortisol responsivity to an intravenous catheter insertion in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

ObjectiveTo compare salivary cortisol baseline levels and responsivity as well as behavioral distress to intravenous (IV) catheter insertions in 4- to 10-year-old children with (n=29) and without (n=339) attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).MethodsThis is a secondary data analysis from a sample of 542 children who participated in a multisite study on distraction. Data included were demographic variables, Pediatric Behavior Scale-30, Observational Scale of Behavioral Distress-Revised, and four salivary cortisol samples.ResultsHome samples from the ADHD group revealed nonsignificant but higher cortisol levels than the non-ADHD group. However, on the clinic day, the ADHD group had significantly lower cortisol levels before (0.184 vs. 0.261, p=.040) and 20-30min after IV insertion (0.186 vs. 0.299, p=.014) compared with the non-ADHD group.ConclusionsCortisol levels in children with and without ADHD differ in response to the stress of an IV insertion. © The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. All rights reserved.