Day-to-day variation of salivary cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in children from a rural Dominican community

This study examines day-to-day patterns of salivary cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) under baseline conditions and in response to mild stress among 59 children residing in a rural Caribbean village. Cortisol secretion showed the typical circadian variation with high levels in the morning. Children showed significant increases of cortisol before and during a videotaped interview when compared to routine days. DHEA levels were positively associated with cortisol levels; however, within-day secretion of salivary DHEA was more stable than cortisol and DHEA levels did not change significantly during the day. Average DHEA concentrations were positively associated with age but did not show the sharp increase that is usually observed at the onset of adrenarche. These results highlight both similarities and differences in the secretion of cortisol and DHEA during childhood among rural and industrialized human populations.