Cortisol circadian rhythms and stress responses in infants at risk of allergic disease.

Background: The cortisol circadian rhythm and response to stressful stimuli are altered in children and adults with allergic disease, including asthma. It is not known whether these alterations precede or follow the onset of allergic disease.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the cortisol circadian rhythm and stress response among infants at risk for the development of allergic disease.