To our knowledge, these findings are the first to demonstrate altered HPA axis reactivity in depressed preschoolers. These alterations are consistent with those described in depressed adults and in animal models of early depression. These findings provide evidence for possible continuity of HPA axis alterations in depressive disorders across the lifespan and are discussed in the context of prior studies of HPA axis reactivity in clinically depressed children and adolescents, suggesting that younger age and inpatient status are features associated with altered HPA axis reactivity.
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