University of Waterloo study shows long-term stress levels may signal mental health risks in children with chronic physical illnesses and guide early intervention.
University of Waterloo study shows long-term stress levels may signal mental health risks in children with chronic physical illnesses and guide early intervention.
Long-term stress levels, measured through hair samples, may provide important clues about mental health risks in children with (CPI), according to new research from the University of Waterloo.
The study highlights how high hair cortisol, a type of steroid hormone, acts as a powerful early warning sign that could help identify children who live with CPI and who could be most at risk of mental health challenges, helping guide prevention and treatment strategies to better support their health and well-being.
An estimated 40 per cent of children in Canada live with a CPI — a number that has been rising steadily for decades. These children face a much higher risk of developing mental health problems than their healthy peers, putting them at greater risk for poor quality of life, suicidal thoughts and increased reliance on health-care services.
Read More: University of Waterloo
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