Social behavior, cortisol, and sIgA levels in preschool children

Objective: This study aims to explore the possible existence of behavioral states in early stages of development, which are associated with specific c ortisol production profiles and consequently with changes in the immune res ponse [secreted immunoglobulin A (sIgA)]. Methods: The subjects were 27 boy s and 21 girls of preschool age whose behavior was videotaped in free play interactions. Their behavior was then evaluated using an ethogram of the so cial behavior of the child. Cortisol levels were measured using a radioimmu noassay in saliva samples, and sIgA levels were measured by means of an ELI SA, also in saliva samples. Results: No correlation between cortisol and sI gA levels was found. Variance analysis revealed that the only behavioral pa ttern, which showed significant differences with regard to cortisol levels, was isolation. Conclusions: There seems to be a connection between cortiso l levels and isolation behavior; we found no relation between high cortisol levels and a lower sIgA secretion. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All righ ts reserved.