Diagnostic Value of Salivary Cortisol in Children with Abnormal Adrenal Cortex Functions
- 28 February 2007
- journal article
- research article
- Published by S. Karger AG in Hormone Research in Paediatrics
- Vol. 67 (6), 301-306
- https://doi.org/10.1159/000100363
Abstract
It has been shown that the free cortisol level in saliva may reflect plasma free cortisol. The measurement of cortisol in saliva is a simple method, and as such it is important in the pediatric age group. In this research, the diagnostic value of measurement of salivary cortisol (SC) measurement was examined in adrenal insufficiency (AI). Fifty-one patients, mean age 10.8 +/- 4.29, who were investigated for possible AI, were included. Basal cortisol levels were below 18 microg/dl. Adrenal function was determined by low-dose ACTH test. During the test, samples for SC were obtained simultaneously with serum samples (at 0-10-20-30-40 min). Mean basal serum cortisol level was 8.21 +/- 4.10 microg/dl (mean +/- SD). Basal SC was correlated to basal serum cortisol (r = 0.64, p < 0.001). A cut-off of 0.94 microg/dl for SC differentiated adrenal insufficient subjects from normals with a sensitivity and specificity of 80 and 77%, respectively. A peak SC less than 0.62 microg/dl defined AI with a specificity of 100%; however, sensitivity was 44%. Measurement of SC may be used in the evaluation of AI. It is well-correlated to serum cortisol. Peak SC in low-dose ACTH test can be used to differentiate patients with AI in the initial evaluation of individuals with suspected AI.Keywords
This publication has 20 references indexed in Scilit:
- Low‐dose ACTH (1 µg) salivary test: a potential alternative to the classical blood testClinical Endocrinology, 2006
- Salivary Cortisol Measurement - a Reliable Method for the Diagnosis of Cushing's SyndromeExperimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes, 2005
- Efficacy and systemic tolerability of mometasone furoate and betamethasone sodium phosphateThe Journal of Laryngology & Otology, 2004
- Salivary Cortisol Measurement: A Practical Approach to Assess Pituitary-Adrenal FunctionJournal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 1988
- The measurement of hormones in saliva: Possibilities and pitfallsJournal of Steroid Biochemistry, 1987
- VALUE OF BASAL PLASMA CORTISOL ASSAYS IN THE ASSESSMENT OF PITUITARY‐ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCYClinical Endocrinology, 1987
- Salivary cortisol for the evaluation of Cushing's syndromeClinica Chimica Acta; International Journal of Clinical Chemistry, 1985
- Age of appearance of circadian rhythm in salivary cortisol values in infancy.Archives of Disease in Childhood, 1983
- Use of saliva for monitoring unbound free cortisol levels in serumClinica Chimica Acta; International Journal of Clinical Chemistry, 1981
- Use of ACTH in the diagnosis of adrenal cortical insufficiencyThe American Journal of Medicine, 1955