Stress in Infancy
Daytime Cortisol Rhythm
In normal children, cortisol secretion is highest soon after waking and decreases through the day. In this study, significant differences to this pattern were observed among children who had suffered abuse.
Plasma IL-6 Response
Adverse events in early childhood, such as abuse or neglect, are now known to be risk factors for health problems in adulthood. One of the proteins involved in the stress response is interleukin-6 (IL-6), which is particularly important in the immune system. This paper looks at levels of IL66 in adults who had experienced childhood abuse.
Emotional Needs of Under-Threes
Six papers including The Essential First Years, Why My Buggy Matters, A Special Bond, A Special Time: The First Three Years and others
Elevated Cortisol Levels
This paper summarises nine independent studies of the effect of daycare on levels of the stress hormone cortisol in young children.
Early Life Stress
In this paper, Shelly Taylor reviews a large number of studies on the long-term health effects of stress in early life.
Behaviour and Cognition
Lupien and his colleagues reviewed a large number of studies of the stress response in humans and other mammals at different ages to build up a picture of the effect of stress on the brain throughout the lifespan.
Stress and Asthma
Studies have shown that babies and children who are already at a high genetic risk of contracting asthma (and other allergic conditions such as eczema) are more likely to do so if they are affected by stress.