Hair Cortisol as a Potential Biologic Marker of Chronic Stress in Hospitalized Neonates

BACKGROUND: As preterm and term infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) undergo multiple stressful/painful procedures, research is required that addresses chronic stress. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether (a) hair cortisol levels differed between term and preterm infants exposed to stress in the NICU and (b) an association exists between hair cortisol levels and severity of illness or indicators of acute stress.