A novel method of collection of saliva for estimation of steroid levels in extremely premature infants. (21st January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ng, Sze M; Drury, Josephine A; Turner, Mark A; Didi, Mohammed; Victor, Suresh; Newland, Paul; Weindling, A Michael
• Is Part Of: Acta pædiatrica. Volume 102:Number 4(2013:Apr.)
• Page Start: 356
• Page End: 359
• Publication Date: 2013-01-21
• Subjects: Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Pediatrics; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1111/apa.12146
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0803-5253

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en" id="apa12146-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="apa12146-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>The major advantage of salivary cortisol sampling is that it is considerably less invasive than taking a blood sample. However, previous methods of obtaining saliva in premature infants have been poorly tolerated and inaccurate. We describe a simple, non‐distressing technique for obtaining saliva samples to assess extremely premature infants' salivary cortisol status.</p> </sec> <sec id="apa12146-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>We prospectively obtained early morning saliva samples from extremely premature infants. Their gestational age ranged between 23 and 27 weeks. Saliva was obtained using four standard universal swabs by placing one swab at a time in the infant's mouth for 1–2 min. No salivary stimulants were used.</p> </sec> <sec id="apa12146-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>There were 65 infants (36 males). Mean gestation was 25.3 ± 1.3 weeks. This technique had a success rate of 85% in obtaining a mean of 150 <italic>μ</italic>L of saliva (range 50–350 <italic>μ</italic>L) by trained staff. No adverse events were recorded.</p> </sec> <sec id="apa12146-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>We describe a novel, safe, non‐distressing and effective method of saliva collection for salivary cortisol measurement in extremely premature infants.</p> </sec> </abstract>