BMC Research Notes
Volume 5, 2012

Patterns of endogenous steroids in apathetic refugee children are compatible with long-term stress (Article) (Open Access)

Söndergaard H.P. , Kushnir M.M. , Aronsson B. , Sandstedt P. , Bergquist J.*
  • a Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
  • b Department of Chemistry, Biomedical Center, Analytical Chemistry and SciLifeLab, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden, ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Salt Lake City, United States, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States
  • c Department of Clinical Science and Education, Sodersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
  • d Department of Clinical Science and Education, Sodersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
  • e Department of Chemistry, Biomedical Center, Analytical Chemistry and SciLifeLab, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States

Abstract

Background: During the last few years, a number of children of asylum applicants in Sweden developed an apathetic or unconscious state. The syndrome was perceived as new, and various explanations were advanced such as factitious disorder, intoxication, or stress. Considering a potential association between traumatic stress and regulation of steroids biosynthesis, this study explored whether changes in concentrations of endogenous steroids were associated with the above syndrome. Methods: Eleven children were recruited in the study. Concentrations of steroids in blood samples were determined using high sensitivity liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry methods. Symptoms were assessed with a clinical rating scale developed for the study. Steroid concentrations were measured at the entry into study and after recovery; and concentrations were evaluated for the association with the symptoms in apathetic children. Results: Cortisol and cortisone concentrations at baseline were negatively associated with duration of the symptoms from entry into the study to clinical recovery. Higher concentrations of pregnanes (pregnenolone, 17-OHpregnenolone, and dehydroepiandrosterone) were observed in the symptomatic state and the concentrations decreased after the recovery. Conclusions: Pattern of low cortisol concentrations found in apathetic children is consistent with long-term stress. An increase of upstream steroid metabolites (pregnanes) was found to be associated with the symptomatic state. © 2012 Sondergaard et al.

Author Keywords

Apathetic refugee children Steroids Mass spectrometry Cortisol Dissociative disorders Neurosteroids

Index Keywords

refugee steroid psychological aspect Dehydroepiandrosterone human prasterone Refugees daily life activity Activities of Daily Living Stress, Psychological mental stress Hydrocortisone Time Factors mass spectrometry Sweden Humans syndrome Adolescent male female ego development Article blood Chromatography, Liquid pregnenolone hydroxyprogesterone cortisone Unconscious (Psychology) 17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone Steroids liquid chromatography time Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84862157847&doi=10.1186%2f1756-0500-5-186&partnerID=40&md5=0d3e98b3c3bfb87398ad8cc7a007ba74
DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-5-186
ISSN: 17560500
Cited by: 10
Original Language: English