Elevated salivary cortisol levels have been documented in individuals who engage in self-injurious behavior (SIB), indicating acute physiological stress. Less is known about the chronicity of stress and SIB. We analyzed the relationship between parent ratings of problem behavior and hair cortisol concentrations (an index of chronic adrenocortical activity) in 23 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Parent ratings of problem behavior were not significantly correlated with hair cortisol concentrations. When children were categorized into groups based on the frequency and severity of SIB, participants with the greatest frequency and severity of SIB had higher hair cortisol concentrations compared to children without SIB. Frequent and severe SIB may be associated with altered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity in children with ASD.

中文翻译：

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自闭症谱系障碍儿童的头发皮质醇和自我伤害行为。

唾液皮质醇水平升高已被记录在从事自我伤害行为（SIB）的个体中，表明存在严重的生理压力。关于压力和SIB的慢性病知之甚少。我们分析了23名自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）儿童的问题行为父母评分与头发皮质醇浓度（慢性肾上腺皮质活动指数）之间的关系。父母对问题行为的评价与头发皮质醇浓度没有显着相关。当根据SIB的频率和严重程度将儿童分类时，与没有SIB的儿童相比，SIB的频率和严重性最高的参与者的头发皮质醇浓度更高。