Main salivary steroid collection in children under conditions replicating home sampling

Objective

Measurement of salivary glucocorticoids is an accepted method for testing adrenal function but there is little data on stability during home collection. Current salivary collection techniques require active participation or present a choking hazard and are unsuitable for young children. We sought to: compare different salivary collection methods; assess stability of salivary glucocorticoids under conditions replicating home collection; assess patient tolerability and caregiver acceptability of a salivary collection device for young children, a swab encased in an infant pacifier (SaliPac™).

Methods

Six healthy adults collected salivary samples using a Salivette® Cortisol, passive drool and SalivaBio at night, waking and 3pm for five days. Time to collect 1ml saliva using the SalivaBio and SaliPac and caregiver acceptability were assessed in 30 children <6 years. Saliva was stored at 4°C, room temperature and 50°C for 24, 48, 72 hours and a week to replicate potential postage conditions. Salivary cortisol and cortisone concentrations were measured by mass spectrometry.

Results

There was no difference in salivary glucocorticoid concentrations using the three collection methods. Salivary cortisol and cortisone were stable for 72 hours at room temperature and 4°C, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles did not cause significant degradation. In children <6 years the SalivaBio and SaliPac were well tolerated and collected sufficient saliva for salivary steroid analysis in <4 minutes.

Conclusions

Salivette, passive drool and SalivaBio collect samples with comparable salivary cortisol and cortisone concentrations, which are stable under conditions replicating home collection. SaliPac is an acceptable device for salivary sampling in young children.