Miss Eva Kierath^1,2, Dr Nicola Gray¹, Dr Luke Whiley¹, Dr Fiona Wood², Dr Mark Fear²

¹ANPC, Murdoch, Australia, ²BIRU, Perth, Australia

Abstract:

Burns are traumatic and stressful events for paediatric patients and their parents. When patients are in the early stages of life the effect of the injury can extend to stress experienced by parents. This study aims to measure the effect of the stress associated with burn patients and their parents on patient outcomes.

Hair cortisol concentration(HCC) is the most widely accepted indicator of stress levels. Saliva, urine and blood cortisol levels vary with the circadian rhythm and acute stress whereas hair is able to provide a cumulative level of cortisol over time so is the most reliable measure of stress. Additionally, hair samples collected at time of injury allow for a record of pre-injury cortisol to be compared to collections at 3, 6 and 12 months post-injury.

3cm hair samples were collected, which equates to approximately 3 months of hair growth. Hair samples were collected at time of injury and 3, 6 and 12 months post-injury. Samples were washed and cortisol extracted in methanol solution. The supernatant was decanted and spiked with 13C-labelled cortisol, then analysed with tandem liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Participants also completed the Child PTSD Symptom Scale(CPSS).

Variance in hair cortisol levels post-burn were witnessed in both patients and their parents relative to pre-injury.  Pre-injury cortisol levels appear to be related to CPSS results.

Increased cortisol levels have been associated with increased likelihood of experiencing childhood PTSD as measured by CPSS. Further study is required to fully understand the impact of pre and post-injury stress on patient outcomes.

Biography:

Eva is a research assistant at the BIRU & ANPC. She worked as a dentist for five years before transitioning to a career in research in 2021.