J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 1990; 2:418-421
Copyright © 1990 by American Neuropsychiatric Association
Dexamethasone suppression test and depressive symptoms in bereaved children: a preliminary report
EB Weller, RA Weller, MA Fristad and JM Bowes
Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210.
Eighteen bereaved children and adolescents were assessed using the
dexamethasone suppression test (DST) and the Diagnostic Interview for
Children and Adolescents 4 weeks following parental death. Thirty-nine
percent had a positive (nonsuppressed) DST. DST-positive subjects reported
more DSM-III-R depressive symptoms (6.3 +/- 2.9 vs. 3.9 +/- 2.7, means +/-
SD) than DST-negative subjects. Most frequently reported symptoms included
dysphoria, loss of interest, sleep disturbance, appetite disturbance,
psychomotor disturbance, and morbid and suicidal ideation.
Post-dexamethasone cortisol levels were significantly correlated with the
total number of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation.
