Developmental and Environmental Determinants of Hair Steroids in Children From Birth to Two Years Postnatally: A Comprehensive Analysis

May 2026 in “ Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology ”

Esther J. Hutloff, Isabel Jaramillo, Luisa Bergunde, Susan Garthus-Niegel, Susann Steudte‐Schmiedgen

hair steroids cortisol cortisone dehydroepiandrosterone progesterone testosterone corticosterone endocrine activity

TLDR Hair analysis can effectively assess long-term hormone activity in young children.

This study investigated the factors influencing hair steroid concentrations in children from birth to two years, using data from the DREAM HAIR study with sample sizes ranging from 210 to 245 at different time points. The analysis focused on cortisol, cortisone, dehydroepiandrosterone, progesterone, testosterone, and corticosterone levels. Results showed that cortisol, cortisone, and progesterone peaked postnatally and then declined. Significant associations were found between hair steroids and factors such as sex, hair color, season, storage time, gestational week, and birth mode, with birth mode and season remaining significant after corrections. The study concluded that while developmental, methodological, and contextual influences on hair steroids were small, hair analysis is a promising method for assessing long-term endocrine activity in early childhood.

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