URINARY-EXCRETION OF CORTISOL AFTER IMMUNIZATION

Urinary cortisol excretion and rectal temperature were measured in 66 infants before and after immunisation against diphtheria, tetanus, per tussis, and Haemophilus influenzae type b. Immunisation produced a sig nificant increase of rectal temperature the next night at all ages. In fants without an adult-like night time body temperature pattern signif icant increase in urinary excretion night and morning after immunisati on. Once an adult-like night time body temperature pattern immunisatio n no longer raised urinary cortisol output.