The cortisol awakening response (CAR) in 2- to 4-year-old children: Effects of acute nighttime sleep restriction, wake time, and daytime napping

摘要

The cortisol awakening response (CAR) is presumed critically important for healthy adaptation. The current literature, however, is hampered by systematic measurement difficulties relative to awakening, especially with young children. While reports suggest the CAR is smaller in children than adults, well-controlled research in early childhood is scarce. We examined whether robust CARs exist in 2- to 4-year-old children and if sleep restriction, wake timing, and napping influence the CAR (n=7). During a 25-day in-home protocol, researchers collected four salivary cortisol samples (0, 15, 30, 45min post-wake) following five polysomnographic sleep recordings on nonconsecutive days after 4hr (morning nap), 7hr (afternoon nap), 10hr (evening nap), 13hr (baseline night), and 16hr (sleep restriction night) of wakefulness (20 samples/child). The CAR was robust after nighttime sleep, diminished after sleep restriction, and smaller but distinct after morning and afternoon (not evening) naps. Cortisol remained elevated 45min after morning and afternoon naps.